the goan I network
MARGAO
Gang wars have come back to haunt the men in uniform, while at the same time distributing the peace and tranquility of the commercial capital.
Now the Margao police have knocked the doors of the District Magistrate to detain as many as three notorious persons under the National Security Act and extern as many as five such persons from the South Goa jurisdiction.
Recently, a gangster, who has several criminal cases, including attempt to murder, pending against him at police stations of Margao, Fatorda, and even Cuncolim, reportedly took out a motorbike procession on the Eastern bypass.
Citizens and police have raised concern as choppers and weapons are being freely used by rival groups to settle scores. Despite the police action of invoking NSA against the three notorious criminals and for externment of five others, which are pending with the District Magistrate, gangsters seem undeterred.
Police said the three notorious characters have several criminal cases pending against them. One of them was even booked under the Arms Act, while another was arrested in a couple of attempt to murder cases.
Police believe that these gangsters are being patronized by some of the matka kingpins operating in the city and the outskirts. “Our information revealed that some of these shady characters are aligned to the matka kingpins and other gambling activities. At least one of them is known to be demanding protection money for the notorious matka operators, who are conducting their illegal gambling business with protection from these lumpen elements,” sources in the know informed.
The police are also trying to figure out whether an ex-murder convict is also playing a role from behind the scenes by extending his backing to a particular gang from Khareband.
While the gang wars are restricted to the city for the moment, it is feared that peace in the neighbouring areas of Curtorim and other villages may be vitiated in future if the police do not nip the criminal activities in the bud.
The last time the District Magistrate had invoked the National Security Act (NSA) was around half a decade ago against three persons against whom a number of criminal cases were registered at the Margao police station.
District police chief, SP Arvind Gawas told The Goan that the cops had been prompt in nabbing the goons involved in cases of assault, including attempt to murder. “The police have not only been prompt in arresting the accused involved in serious offenses, but have initiated chapter proceedings to contain these elements. In a recent incident, our team had nabbed an accused in Karnataka in an attempt to murder case,” SP Gawas said.
Moreover, he said the Goa police have the authorities to take preventive action. “We have initiated proceedings for externment of notorious characters and have moved the DM for detention under the National Security Act,” he added, sending signals that the police would not tolerate criminal activities of these anti-social elements.
