A two-wheeler rider from Usgao was reportedly seriously injured in an early morning shootout by unknown assailants riding a bike at Bethora junction in broad daylight on the busy Margao-Belgavi NH bypass. The victim was shifted to GMC Hospital at Bambolim where his condition is learnt to be stable.
The police have recovered a 7.65 mm bullet from the site and suspect that a country-made gun was used. In this connection, an offense under section 307 (attempt to murder) and sections 3, 25, and 27 of the Arms Act was reportedly registered against unknown persons. Be that as it may, it must be said that Goa is slowly becoming a state where the crime rate is on the rise. Goa is witnessing several incidences of murders, kidnappings, rapes, thefts, etc.
If not nipped in the bud, the gun culture could also enter the State. This is a dangerous trend. Many criminals from other states consider Goa as a safe haven to escape the long arm of the law. Police need to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident and find out how the assailant could obtain the firearm. If not, Goa could go the way of Bihar, UP, and other states where scores are settled by using a gun.
