A video in which a man is being pinned down and brutally assaulted at an off-road clearing in Fatorda recently went viral and once again drew attention to how criminal elements brazenly go about their gun-trotting ways, openly in public. The video, according to police sources, is symptomatic of Goa's evolving crime scene. The Goan delves into the depth of the criminal world and discovers that multiple groupings of criminals are engaged in appropriating control of territories and the battles are spilling over to the streets.
PANAJI
A brief flashback. Goa, the late 1980s. A man was dragged, brutally beaten and killed on the roadside. Remember this? Young Goa was horrified as it was brutally awakened to the presence of gang culture in the State.
That cold-blooded murder in broad daylight and right in the heart of the capital city was a deadly combination that rattled the calm Goa in the late 80s. Goa had just attained Statehood when a man who was enjoying a movie in Samrat theatre was killed in full public view.
He was not an ordinary man but one of the lead gang members. The movie was his last enjoyment when his rival group, which was formed in the early 80s to supposedly “protect the identity of Goa,” were hell-bent to take revenge. The ruthless killing is one such incident that no person of this era will ever forget.
The victim had left Samrat theatre in a hurry after he suspected that he would be assaulted. Those in the know of the incident narrate that the man ran for his life from the theatre but was finally pinned down near Alfran Plaza, where his rival gang members smashed a stone on his head. He was killed instantly and the body lying in a pool of blood was abandoned. The police were certainly left dumbstruck even as it sparked outrage among the people back then.
Gang violence was a major problem in Goa, particularly in the North District. Daring day-light violence, murders, and attempted murders were the order of the day. Unlike today, wherein street fights are evolving into a more sophisticated level of crime, it reminds Goans of what they endured decades ago.
The first organized criminal group was formed in St Cruz in what its members then claimed was to protect Goa’s identity. But their actions did reflect their claim. While every youth wanted to be part of that group, it also invited resentment from others. This particular gang was simultaneously allegedly involved in extortion and of course violence.
It became an inspiration for others who too wanted to carve a niche for themselves in this specific area. It led to gang rivalries and groups were then formed in Merces and Taleigao.
“Everyone wanted to be a don. Many youngsters wanted to take it up as their profession because they were carried away by the fear factor created by these gang members and easy money. This resulted in the expansion of gangs which eventually spread its tentacles in other parts of Goa,” a retired police officer, who cracked down on several such elements during his career, recalled while interacting with The Goan.
Then Home Minister Ravi Naik’s no-nonsense attitude led to a series of arrests of gangsters while many were forced to go underground. The former Congressman and present BJP minister was also instrumental in invoking the National Security Act against the anti-social elements.
The present goons or in legal terminology rogues, vagabonds, and habitual loafers are the outcome of the old gangs who were a nightmare for the State.
Salvador Fernandes alias Ghalu was brutally murdered by five youths on the Dona Paula-Miramar highway in 2011. The officers, who closely monitored the investigation, then claimed that the attack on Ghalu was owing to the previous enmity. The attack on him pushed him into a coma for three days before his death. The attackers were acquitted for lack of evidence. Ghalu also tried to establish his ground in Goa and was involved in the deadly attack on Imtiyaz Shaikh in St Inez in 2006 and Babani Shaikh in 2007 at Taleigao.
Notorious gangster Ashpak Bhengre who started his criminal activities in his young days with trivial crimes to become one of the most wanted criminals was brutally murdered in Colvale Jail in 2016. With multiple cases against him in Goa and neighbouring states, Bhengre allegedly left behind property worth Rs 80 crore. “It is the proceeds of crime, although his family had severed ties with him,” the retired officer said.
Tiger Shaikh Anwar, who also created terror in South Goa, was killed by a group of four men in the middle of a road at his native village in Haveri District, Karnataka last year. Imran Chowdhary was soon arrested on charges of murder while others had escaped from the crime scene, but Anwar who brought others to their knees could not survive his gross image as a gangster.
It is learnt that Tiger was threatening the men demanding haftas, to which they retaliated with an axe. On the fateful day, Tiger went to the garage owners demanding haftas and they refused. Sources said Tiger then tried to threaten them with a pistol he was carrying but his attackers were quick to assault him with the axe. Externment proceedings were pending with South Goa Collector against him, besides nearly 28 crime cases including rape, murder, extortion, and threats cases registered at various police stations in Goa.
These are just a few names of several dozen criminals who decided to take up crime as their profession.
Present status
While gangs are less prevalent in Goa, albeit violence still exists, hate crime does exist. Wanting to establish supremacy and of course easy money, street fights have taken over the organized gang culture that once dominated the State.
“There’s a turf war in Goa. Each one wants to claim a territory and control it. They do not accept the infringement of other groups. This is what we are witnessing in Goa,” a senior police officer said. Certainly, some fights are a result of personal rivalry.
Earning a monthly income of Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore is nothing big for the current lot operating in Goa. From operating drug cartels to extorting money from a bunch of commercial establishments and builders, taking haftas from even the small sellers in public places, and running prostitution rings, the anti-social elements are spread everywhere.
“Today’s goons are not involved in extortion alone. They have set up businesses within and outside Goa through which they earn a steady income which is on the sidelines. It's a widespread network whose members actually run the show,” sources told The Goan.
When the old timers claim that the present goons are the outcome of the past gangs, it is also learnt that many are now reformed while some others are settled abroad. Besides, the shift from gangs to street fights, the police said that from daylight crime it is now late-night crimes. “The former police force should have been consistent in tightening the noose around criminals. Nevertheless, the present situation is not bad as it was decades ago,” he said.
The Goan also interacted with a few working privy of the notorious activities, who maintained that nuisances are not spilt in the public unlike in the past. “There are anti-social elements but they are not into nuisances. If they need to get their work done, they pick the concerned person, threaten him, and get the work done. The public at large is not affected,” said a local from St Cruz.
Incidents like the 2020 shootout at St Cruz and the attack on Vijay Kulal are rare occurrences but certainly an event that creates fear.
Dealing with contraband substances including buying and selling drugs on the jail premises is also operated by some notorious criminals, lodged in different cells of the Colvale Jail. Sources further revealed that tobacco products that barely cost two digits are being sold at not less than Rs 500 while each gram of cocaine is sold at around Rs 5,000 and Ganja sachets at Rs 2,500 approx. The arrest of a jail guard in June, caught red-handed smuggling drugs in the state-of-the-art jail, was one such incident exposing the nexus between jail officials and the inmates most of whom are undertrials.
Inspector General of Prison Bosco George, an IPS officer, has already sent a clear message to its staff that he will not tolerate indiscipline. The term itself explains that the officer, whose posting comes after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant decided for administrative reforms to curb the increasing menace in the jail, will deal with errant officials and the offenders with an iron hand.
Flashy martial art in movies, dashing
appearance have influenced criminals
There’s a huge transition of trouble-makers involved in crime in the past and today. Carrying weapons is one thing but today, a flashy martial art in action movies and a dashing appearance have influenced quite a few who are named in police records. “It’s a shift... Most of them are experts in widely practised forms of martial arts, and they are careful about their looks. It's not only to ensure supremacy but also to gain popularity and create terror,” the source said.
Sources further said that taking part in wrestling championships is one of their favourite pass times. Some are held in Goa and some outside.
In the latest attack on Vijai Kulal, which was a result of a turf war, the victim is a Taekwondo student.
