PANAJI
Things are happening too often in Goa. With the tourist season at its peak and thousands of domestic and international visitors arriving every day, it has become almost impossible to monitor every entry point, railway station and airport. People enter illegally, and some even escape the State after committing serious crimes. News of an arrest no longer comforts families who have gone through trauma during these violent burglaries.
“We Goans are holding our breath, praying we never face the nightmares experienced by families who were attacked by dacoits, injured, and robbed of their money and belongings,” says Achala Goankar from Porvorim.
A homemaker originally from Margao, she lives with her husband and young child. When her husband is at work, she is afraid to stay home alone with the child. She attends her child’s afternoon drawing class just so she can avoid being alone at home.
“I return around 6 pm, when my husband comes back,” she says, worried about her child’s safety.
Dr Rohan Shinkre, who works at AIMS in New Delhi, calls his parents in Ponda whenever he gets a break from duty. His brother, a marine engineer, is away most of the time, leaving their parents alone. “Even though our house is in the market area, I still fear someone might harm them. My brother is at sea and out of range, so I feel it’s my moral duty to keep checking in,” he says.
A woman who runs a hospital in South Goa says she often returns home after midnight. She drives alone and has seen youngsters speeding on empty roads, and others drinking or smoking in isolated spots.
“But inside the car, I feel safe. It’s the house I worry about. There are CCTV cameras, but would dacoits care? What if they have weapons?” she asks. She believes open roads feel safer than closed homes when it comes to burglary.
Retired teacher Natty D’Souza from Navelim says the recent incidents have created a constant fear. She lives in a colony of bungalows spaced out with gardens and trees in between. It becomes lonely at night. The residents are now planning to hire a night guard to patrol the area and blow a whistle while taking rounds.
A businessman from Margao says he keeps no gold, large cash, or important documents at home. Everything is in a bank locker.
“I keep a little cash and some silver utensils at home. If anyone breaks in with weapons, I can give them that. If they find nothing, they may get angry and start firing. Better to lose money than life,” he says. He recalls how a jeweller friend lost his life because he tried to resist during a dacoity.
“I would rather give everything and beg them to let me live.”
People across Goa are openly talking about their fears. The police are doing their best to catch the thieves quickly, but criminals are getting smarter. They use new methods to escape and often leave the State soon after the crime. CCTV footage helps, but not always, says an elderly widow from Canacona.
“By the time neighbours come, the police arrive, or help reaches us, the thieves have already crossed the border. We lose our jewellery, cash and gadgets. The robbers even eat fruits, ice creams or drink water from the fridge before leaving, after tying up the family. Goa is no longer safe for the elderly. And the sad part is, many elderly live alone in big houses while their children work abroad. This vulnerable group needs the most protection,” she says.
Criminals today are more hardened. They come well prepared, with weapons, duplicate keys, and knowledge of the area, the house layout, and escape routes. They stay connected by mobile phone, and getaway vehicles with fake number plates are kept ready. With such tactics, they manage to flee quickly. Goa is now struggling to cope with the rise in thefts and burglaries.
