Team Herald
MARGAO: Eight shops at the New Margao Municipal Market were ransacked in the wee hours of Sunday morning, with the perpetrators primarily targeting cash from the establishments.
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The incident has sparked outrage among the local trading community, prompting immediate calls for better security measures. Led by Margao New Municipal Market Association President Gopal Naik, traders quickly alerted the police.
The robbery marks the latest in a series of similar incidents that have plagued the market area, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current security arrangements. “Our shopkeepers are shaken by this latest theft as they are left vulnerable,” stated former Association President Vinod Shirodkar. Upon hearing of the thefts, several shopkeepers rushed to the market to check on their properties. Some shop shutters were bent open, while others were forcefully broken with weapons. CCTV cameras were also tampered with by the thieves. Footage from the cameras shows two individuals breaking into the shops.
Reports indicate that only one security personnel was on duty at the market yesterday. One shopkeeper, in particular, claimed that cash was stolen from some stores while goods were left behind. In one instance, coins amounting to approximately Rs 6,000 were taken.
In response to the incident, the traders’ association has announced immediate security reforms. “We will now close the main gates sharp at 10.30 pm,” declared Naik, acknowledging that the previous practice of allowing some shops to operate beyond closing time may have created security lapses.
The association plans to take their concerns to the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday, seeking improved security measures, including the deployment of security personnel at all gates. Surveillance footage from CCTV cameras has captured images of the suspects, providing law enforcement with leads in their investigation.
This incident follows a recent attempted burglary earlier this month, captured on CCTV, where a burglar was spotted attempting to rob a shop near the highway in the heart of Margao. The recurring nature of these crimes has led to mounting pressure from citizens demanding more frequent police patrols throughout the night.
The incident has reignited discussions about the overall security infrastructure in Margao’s commercial areas, with traders and citizens alike calling for a comprehensive review and upgrade of existing security protocols to prevent future occurrences.
