Migrant workers behind most crimes in Goa, claims Sawant

PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday reiterated that the majority of crimes in Goa are committed by migrants, even as he assured the Legislative Assembly that public trust in the police force has grown steadily.

“The number of migrant workers in Goa is increasing, and most crimes involve migrants. Only about two per cent of Goans are involved in crimes,” Sawant said, replying to a Calling Attention motion jointly moved by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and MLAs Cruz Silva, Altone D’Costa, Venzy Viegas and Carlos Ferreira.

The motion raised concern on the rising incidents of thefts, robberies, dacoities, and crimes against women and children, warning of a growing threat to public safety, particularly to senior citizens, women and minors.

Sawant stated that Goa has been witnessing frequent incidents linked to the influx of migrant labour. Citing official figures, Sawant – also Home Minister – noted a decline in theft cases from 525 in 2022 to 314 in 2024. Robberies and dacoities showed marginal decline with detection rates nearing 100 per cent.

However, crimes against women and children registered an increase. Cases against women rose from 286 in 2022 to 292 in 2023, and further to 369 in 2024. Crimes against children climbed from 163 in 2022 to 187 in 2023 and 207 in 2024.

For crimes against children, the detection rate was 93.87 per cent in 2022, rising to 94.12 per cent in 2023 and slightly dipping to 92.75 per cent in 2024. For crimes against women, detection was 92.66 per cent in 2022, 94.86 per cent in 2023 and 94.04 per cent in 2024.

Sawant attributed the increase in cases to greater reporting and trust between the police and the public. “Due to regular awareness drives, more and more victims are now coming forward to lodge complaints. As a result, there is a marginal increase in reported crimes against women and children. But these are being detected, and perpetrators are being prosecuted in court,” he said.

He also listed down preventive measures implemented by the police, including intensified patrolling, deployment of plainclothes officers, mandatory tenant and servant verification, and increased surveillance through CCTVs and Pink Force Vans dedicated to women’s safety.

Sawant added that the Goa Police have expanded outreach to senior citizens, issuing Senior Citizen Cards with emergency contacts and conducting regular home visits and awareness programmes.

To criticism from the Opposition that senior IPS officers posted in Goa were on vacation while capable Goan officers were sidelined, Sawant denied the allegation. “No efficient police officer has been kept in cold storage. All are appropriately posted,” he said as Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai accused the police leadership of complacency.

“One IPS officer is on vacation, and good officers are dumped. It’s ‘khao, piyo, maja karo’ for IPS while Goa suffers,” the MLA alleged.