PANAJI: Two men were injured after gunshots were allegedly fired during a dispute over sand extraction in Naibag, Pernem, last night. The victims, 37-year-old Lalbahdur Gond and 54-year-old Ram Rishi Paswan, both residents of Poraskade, Pernem, and natives of Bihar, sustained injuries to the hand and neck. Both are undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC).
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders, raising concerns about law and order in the state, with Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleging that criminals in Goa no longer fear the police. Alemao said, “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,” adding that Goa is no longer safe for anyone and that emboldened criminals have exposed the BJP government’s failure to maintain law and order.
The Congress Party also responded strongly. In a press statement, 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.
This year has already seen several gun-related incidents in Goa. In 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. Earlier in August, a Ponda resident reported gunfire at his car in Madkai. While the driver was unharmed, bullets struck the vehicle, raising concerns over increasing violent crime linked to disputes and organized criminal activity.
