PANAJI
Back-to-back street fights, latest firing incident in Pernem, and blatant violations of public safety norms have once again brought Goa’s law and order situation under sharp scrutiny. The latest cases come close on the heels of the recent two dacoities, attack on social activist Rama Kankonkar, and a gang clash reported in South Goa two months ago.
In the most recent case, two labourers were injured after gunshots were allegedly fired during a dispute over sand extraction at Naibag, Pernem. The injured, 37-year-old Lalbahadur Gond and 54-year-old Ram Rishi Paswan, both residents of Poraskade and natives of Bihar, sustained injuries to the hand and neck and are undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta stated that multiple police teams were working on the case, with arrests soon. “Around 8-9 persons were present on the boat when the firing took place, and the police had obtained leads and had summoned a few persons for questioning. Arrests are soon to happen,” he added.
The firing incident came just 48 hours after a shocking brawl broke out right outside Panaji Police Station on Sunday. Two rival taxi groups clashed at the entrance of the police station, assaulting each other with kicks, punches and even using a knuckle-duster and pepper spray. The fight happened despite police personnel present on-site with one accused, Yakub Wallikar, suffering fractures to his left leg and hand.
On Tuesday, the SP updated about the arrests of seven accused persons and the seizure of three taxis and a scooter. A letter has been issued to the RTO seeking cancellation of registration and permits of the taxis involved. However, no disciplinary action has been initiated against police personnel present at the time of the incident for lapse.
On the same day, an almost-clash erupted at Caranzalem when ramponkars confronted organisers of an international open-water swimming event. Police later confirmed that the Mumbai-based organiser, Kapil Arora, held the event without a single permission from authorities, nor were any safety personnel deployed at the beach.
Participants had collectively paid registration fees amounting to Rs 3.26 lakh. While the organiser was booked for endangering public safety and cheating after a complaint from the participants, the Tourism Department on Tuesday imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000, while the Fisheries Department admitted that no permission was sought from them.
These consecutive incidents have provided the Opposition with yet another opportunity to attack the government, alleging that Goa’s law and order situation has collapsed.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that criminals in Goa no longer fear the police while slamming safety issues within the State.
“Disputes in Goa are increasingly taking the shape of crime. The BJP government has failed to maintain law and order and prevent crimes. I hope it acts swiftly to tackle crime before ‘Gangs of Goa’ are established by these criminal minds. Goa is no longer safe for anyone, and that emboldened criminals have exposed the BJP government’s failure to maintain law and order,” he alleged.
GPCC Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar called the incident a shocking reminder of the collapse of law and order under the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government. "There must be an immediate and impartial investigation, strict action against those responsible, including anyone politically backing illegal sand extraction, and accountability from the Home Minister and the Chief Minister,” Panjikar demanded.
Mid-August, masked assailants ambushed a car in Mungul, firing at the occupants and critically injuring two. Police later arrested 25 suspects, including three main accused who surrendered. In the same month, a Ponda resident reported gunfire at his car in Madkai, while another incident of setting a firecracker-laden car on fire was reported outside the Honda outpost on the Narkasur night.
