On Tuesday, 12 Aug, two young men were mercilessly assaulted, bloodied, and their car riddled with bullets. The incident happened in the wee hours at Mungul along the Margao-Colva belt when an alleged “dirty dozen” gang attacked with swords, koitas, and guns. To a bystander, it might have appeared to be a film shoot for an Indian masala film. Due to quick police work, most of the assailants were arrested. This was not the first gang war, as similar ones have occurred in: June 2018, Merces; July 2019, Taleigao; July 2020, Santa Cruz; Sep 2022, Curchorem; and July 2024, Benaulim. A common thread that seems to have been the cause is the monsoon months, which perhaps excited the gangs of Goa instead of cooling their frayed tempers!
It is painful to read about such horrific incidents, and also, in the past, the arrest of a probable terrorist, hard-core criminals, fraudsters, drug dealers, peddlers, and their ilk who had sought refuge in Goa. They came either before or after committing a crime for some rest and relaxation, and maybe to plan their next target. Cricket betting syndicates have operated from bungalows, resorts, and housing societies. Everyone wants a piece of the action and peace in Goa. A sorry state of affairs, although the police do their bit to catch the criminals, or else let the gangs fight and annihilate one another, as happened in Mumbai some years back. Apparently, a negative renaissance seems to be growing in Goa. This needs to be nipped in the bud before a carnivorous flower blooms.
