MARGAO
Anti-social activities and mushrooming illegal carts outside the Aquem side of the Margao railway station came to the fore again after the 38-year-old woman complained of assault late Monday night.
Complaints of anti-social activities, including pick-pocketing, petty fights, bars remaining open late at night till the wee hours of the day et al around the area found their echo after the incident.
Locals pointed out there’s no safety and security for the people moving around the area late at night. They have pointed out to the media that pick-pocketing is rampant in the area involving a petty gang of criminals.
A visit to the area outside the railway station showed that a host of gaddas have come up running parallel to the road, throwing up the question over the legal status of the structures.
A resident pointed out that petty fights are normal around the area late at night, saying that locals do not interfere as brawls become a regular feature all along the station road.
He recalled that the station road had registered a murder just over a year ago after a resident had succumbed to his injuries after an assault.
If officials are to be believed, liquor smuggling has also not stopped around the area. Sources said an organised gang of persons is operating in the area, smuggling liquor in the trains.
Locals said the Margao police should make its presence felt in the area at night to nip the anti-social activities in the bud. They further said the Excise sleuths should conduct regular raids on bars keeping open shutters late at night in violation of the excise rules.
“The Excise should also probe into complaints that illegal liquor is being sold from a couple of joints,” the local added.
They wondered whether the Margao municipal sanitation has ever conducted raids on the stalls along the road outside the railway station to check hygiene and to verify the status of the carts.
