MLA says outsiders tarnishing Benaulim’s image
Aam Admi Party delegation led by MLA Venzy Viegas called on SP, South, Tikam Singh, to discuss the Mungul gang war incident.
MARGAO
Demanding a crackdown on outside criminal gangs tarnishing the image of Benaulim constituency, Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has wondered whether any Goan would feel free to go out for dinner with his wife, sister or daughter with armed criminals having a free run on the beach belt.
Attributing the rising criminal activity to the nexus between police and criminals wherein the latter pay haftas to the men in uniform, Venzy pointed out that none of the persons involved in criminal activity and gang wars reside in the villages of Benaulim constituency. He also lashed out at the police for “dead policing”, questioning whether the men in uniform have any idea of the reign of terror unleashed by the criminal gangs along the beach belt.
The Benaulim MLA led an AAP delegation to the South Goa Superintendent of Police, Tikam Singh, demanding action to crack down heavily on the criminal gangs. “People of Benaulim are peace-loving. I have been representing Benaulim for the last three and a half years, and I have come across criminal gangs from outside the constituency creating law and order problems here,” he said, adding that he is even ready to sanction his MLA Development Fund for the purpose of installing Closed-Circuit TV surveillance cameras.
The MLA demanded to know how the Colva police are unaware of the fact that restaurants frequented by criminals remain open late at night in violation of excise and other rules. “The restaurant we are talking about is not even half a kilometre from the Colva police station. The police need to answer a host of questions,” he added.
The Benaulim MLA said he and his party are all for extending music for local festivals, weddings and even at the shacks, but not for these hubs frequented by criminals. “Along the Salcete coastal belt, we never had a problem with music at shacks. But there are certain restaurants operating late at night and they are the cause of anti-social activity,” he added.
