MAPUSA
A sudden spurt in burglaries and attempted break-ins across Bardez has put law and order under the spotlight, with incidents reported from Porvorim, Mapusa, Tivim and Parra over the past fortnight, triggering fear and anxiety among residents.
In the latest incidents, two burglaries occurred in Porvorim, two flats in Prudential Colony at Peddem, Mapusa, were broken into late last week, while burglars made unsuccessful attempts to force entry into two flats at Madel, Tivim.
Police believe locked and long-shut homes are being specifically targeted.
Mapusa Police Inspector Navin Desai said preliminary inquiries suggest the burglars may not have gained much from the Mapusa break-ins.
“The flats had been closed for nearly two years. There was nothing much the robbers could lay their hands on,” Desai said, adding that police were examining whether the incidents were interconnected.
Colvale Police Inspector Sanjit Kandolkar confirmed the Tivim case, stating that attempts were made to break into two flats but failed.
“There was an attempt to force entry, but the suspects were unsuccessful,” Kandolkar said.
What has raised alarm is the clustering of similar offences across Bardez in a short span. Burglaries have been reported from Porvorim, while Parra witnessed robberies and attempted thefts at a temple and a private residence barely a fortnight ago.
The sudden rise in such crimes has unsettled residents, particularly in residential colonies and villages where houses and flats remain locked for long periods due to migration and second-home ownership.
Flagging the situation as a serious concern, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo called for immediate strengthening of police presence on the ground.
“There is a scare in Bardez due to the sudden rise in burglaries, robberies and attempts to rob in Porvorim, Mapusa, Tivim and Parra. Bike patrolling must be enforced at the ward level to prevent such crimes,” Lobo said.
Residents have demanded increased night patrols, quicker police response and stronger preventive measures, warning that continued inaction could embolden criminal elements.
With multiple police stations now probing similar offences within their jurisdictions, the incidents have reignited questions over policing gaps and the adequacy of preventive surveillance in Bardez, even as investigations continue to determine whether the crimes are isolated or part of a wider pattern.
