Sawant claims Goa's crime detection rate is highest in the country
MAPUSA
Amid sharp criticism from the Opposition over the alleged deterioration of law and order in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday told the State Legislative Assembly that Goa’s crime detection rate has crossed 86 per cent, claiming it to be the highest in the country and asserted that the government has put in place multiple preventive measures to curb crime.
Responding to charges that Goa risked being labelled a “murder capital”, Sawant rejected the Opposition’s allegations and said the crime situation in the State remained under control.
“Goa’s crime detection rate has crossed 86 per cent, which is the highest in the country. This itself shows that the police machinery is effective and crimes are being detected and prosecuted,” the Chief Minister said.
Outlining steps taken by the government, Sawant said a preventive policing helpline had been launched to ensure police assistance within five minutes.
He added that police manpower had been strengthened and that Police Inspectors (PIs) and Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) had been authorised to use body-worn cameras while issuing challans to improve transparency and accountability.
The Chief Minister also underlined the role of public cooperation in maintaining law and order, pointing out that a large number of people from other States come to Goa for work and residence.
“Citizens must verify tenants, domestic servants and caretakers through the police. Public participation is very important in preventing crime,” Sawant said.
However, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, citing government statistics, raised serious concerns over an alleged rise in cases of murder and rape in the State.
“Today, Goa is being painted as a murder capital. There is jungle raj in Goa. Crimes against women, including rapes, are increasing. What concrete steps is the government taking to arrest this trend?” Alemao asked.
Objecting strongly to the “murder capital” remark, Sawant said such labels were misleading and politically motivated.
He reiterated that the government had adopted a multi-pronged approach to crime prevention, including the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations, further strengthening of police manpower, stricter prosecution, and expediting extradition processes in cases involving absconding accused.
Alemao also flagged the issue of drug abuse, alleging widespread availability of narcotics in the State.
“Drugs are available everywhere today. Goa is being labelled a criminal State. Our youth are consuming drugs. Who is the Pablo Escobar of Goa? If people from Goa are involved, they must be exposed,” the Opposition leader charged.
Responding to the concerns, Sawant said the government would not allow drugs to flourish in the State and reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.
On crimes against women, the Chief Minister said most rape cases involved known individuals rather than strangers and stressed that swift action was being taken.
He further assured the House that the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure that crime does not rise in the future and that law and order would be maintained.
