PANAJI
This small State boasts its impeccable crime detection record in the entire country but there’s an interesting irony as Union Ministers, Chief Minister, former CMs, ministers and even former legislators fear their lives are under threat, obviously since they hold top positions in the government.
This illustrious long list of active gun license holders are Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, former CMs Pratapsingh Rane, Churchill Alemao and Laxmikant Parsekar, Ministers Rohan Khaunte and the seasoned Ravi Naik.
From Sawant’s .45 bore pistol to ex-CM Laxmikant’s double barrel breech loading (DBBL) and former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap’s 7.65 bore pistol, each figure possesses a distinct weapon of choice. CM's political arch rival in Sanquelim constituency Dharmesh Saglani too has a firearm.
This astonishing trend is not limited to the corridors of power alone as some bureaucrats, serving and retired police officers and even members of the judiciary possess firearms. In addition to this, a diverse array of persons from different walks of life, such as doctors, advocates, businessmen and others are among the 3,461 active gun license holders across Goa, as of last month.
Sources told The Goan that the ‘motivation’ behind possessing these firearms lies predominantly in self-protection. “All the active licenses are for self-protection. Possibly these individuals fear threats to their lives... However, some have acquired these licenses for crop protection,” the source revealed.
The official sources further stated that the approval process for these licenses involves thorough scrutiny by the respective police stations. The respective district collectors rely on these reports to grant or reject permissions to the applicants. Yet, there are around 200 pending applications, waiting to join the armed elite.
The concentration of these armed persons is particularly high in North Goa with 1,861 license holders followed by another 1,600 in South Goa. Ironically, even with their extensive security entourage, the VIPs themselves appear to feel the pangs of vulnerability.
VIPs AND THEIR FIREAMRS
Union Minister Shripad Naik: 7.65 bore pistol
MP Francisco Sardinha: 7.65 bore pistol
CM Pramod Sawant: .45 bore pistol
Minister Rohan Khaunte: .25 bore pistol
Minister Ravi Naik: N P bore Pistol (2)
Dharmesh Saglani: .22 bore revolver
Ex-union min Ramakant Khalap: 7.65 bore pistol
Ex-MLA Glenn Ticlo: .22 bore pistol & SBBL
MLA Aleixo Lourenco: DBBL
MLA Aleixo Sequeira: .22 bore pistol
Mayor Rohit Monserrate: .32 bore pistol
Ex-CM Pratapsingh Rane: DBBL & DBML
Ex-CM Laxmikant Parsekar: DBBL
Ex-CM Churchill Alemao: .22 bore pistol
MLA Vijai Sardesai: .32 bore revolver, .22 bore SBBL rifle
Ex-minister Avertano Furtado: .32 bore pistol &.22 bore pistol
Ex-MP Luizinho Faleiro: 0.12 bore DBBL gun &.22 bore rifle
Ex-minister Milind Naik: Pistol
Ex-Minister Joaquim Alemao: .22 bore revolver
IAS Parimal Rai: .32 bore pistol
