Community questions lack of documents, due process
MAPUSA
The usually calm premises of the Mapusa Police Station turned tense on Friday afternoon after members of the local goldsmith community assembled in large numbers to protest the detention of two of their colleagues by a visiting police team from Andhra Pradesh.
The two Mapusa-based goldsmiths were picked up earlier in the day for allegedly purchasing 150 grams of gold each from suspected thieves who had reportedly travelled to Goa to dispose of stolen jewellery.
The arrests triggered concern and outrage among local artisans, who claimed the action was abrupt, unclear and carried out without proper documentation.
According to protesting goldsmiths, the Andhra Pradesh police team failed to produce any arrest warrant or supporting documents before detaining the two men.
They further alleged that the visiting officers did not offer satisfactory explanations despite repeated questions from the community.
“We are not defending wrongdoing, but there has to be due process. They walked in, detained our colleagues and refused to show even basic documents,” said a senior goldsmith from Mapusa, who requested anonymity.
Several goldsmiths said they followed the AP police team to the Mapusa Police Station seeking clarity and intervention. Their presence led to brief moments of tension as they pressed local authorities for information about the grounds of arrest and the procedure to be followed.
Another member of the association said: “If there is a genuine case, we have no objection to the investigation. But arbitrary arrests create fear among legitimate businessmen. We expect transparency and proper coordination between States.”
Mapusa police officials confirmed that the Andhra Pradesh team had come to Goa in connection with an ongoing theft investigation.
A senior Mapusa police officer said they were verifying the procedural aspects of the detentions and facilitating communication between both sides.
“We are coordinating with the visiting police team to ensure all legal protocols are followed. The matter is under examination,” the officer said.
Later in the evening, the matter was resolved, though the inquiry is set to continue.
Mapusa Goldsmith Association president Audumbar Pingulkar said the Andhra Pradesh police had brought in an accused involved in a gold theft case and the accused reportedly identified two local goldsmiths as having purchased the stolen gold.
Pingulkar said the two goldsmiths were initially detained by the Andhra police but were released after discussions late in the evening.
“The Andhra police have issued notices to the two goldsmiths, directing them to appear for an inquiry at a police station in Andhra Pradesh,” Pingulkar said.
