Goa’s size and population probably gives the state a relative advantage, in comparison to the bigger states, on the extent of crime that occurs, but its ranking as one of the best states with a lower crime is reason enough to feel satisfied. But this is where it must stop and the real challenges to keep Goa not just crime free, but free of criminals who plan and execute new age crimes.
The biggest challenge before the Goa police and other investigation agencies is to rid Goa of drug gangs which continue to flourish and function, borne out with specific cases we have reported as well as statements from elected representatives, making the Chief Minister ask MLAs to give information about drug gangs and their activities to him.
The other big challenge is to continue to crack down on prostitution rackets and cases of crimes against women. This includes cases of human trafficking where victims are either brought to Goa to be introduced to prostitution or trafficked out of the state.
If the focus of the entire police centres around these two main areas, Goa will not just be cleansed of traditional crime, but these twin menaces that have gripped Goa like an albatross.
NCRB statistics too point out that Goa hasn’t been closing out cases of victimisation of women and children and punishing the culprits. The conviction rate is as low as 11%.
Moreover, the pendency of such cases against women and children remained at a high of 50%.
Therefore while the foot on the peddle cannot be removed, as far as investigating and concluding other cases of crimes against women, cracking down on trafficking / prostitution rackets and exposing links of middlemen with power centres is vital.
The line that extends from prostitution to the drug trade to the unholy presence of both in several nightlife outlets has given an extremely seedy and repulsive vibe in certain parts of coastal Goa.
During our ground reportage, we have found that in several places across the coastal belt, the sale and consumption of drugs is absolutely rampant. They take place in the vicinity of residential areas and also adjoining schools.
The continued announcement of one or two night long electronic dance parties, with some announcing “free drinks for girls” and others with a massive line up of foreign DJs, is for all to see, especially on social media. Regular stakeholders and night party veterans confirm that the success of each of these parties centres around the amount of drugs sold or consumed. Now these are real worries. These parties are unlikely to add to the crime statistics and other activities will go on un-challenged unless a drug related unnatural death happens in any of the venues. But they need to be watched for drug related activities
This battle needs a new war strategy. It has to be handled the way the then DGP of Punjab KPS Gill cracked down on terrorism in the Punjab by proactively going into the militants lair, flushing them out and in some cases use absolutely strong arm tactics. For every major techno party which is held, a squad of the Anti Narcotics Cell and the local police should be present for any suspicious activity. In addition there should be squads patrolling the belts both in the day time and in the evening.
Meanwhile as this is being done, there will be spurt in the number of cases because of the very nature of the activity. We must be prepared for that .Often registration of crimes leads to more cases reflecting on the crime chart. Hence the sheer number of cases need not just reflect the extent of crime but the extent of crime crackdown too. Thus the Goa police, even at the cost of more crimes reflecting in its record books, which could affect some rankings, should go ahead and not compromise on registering of cases.
