Goa’s deepening law and order crisis has taken a disturbing turn, with those sworn to up hold the law now standing accused of breaking it. In a stark reflection of spiralling lawlessness in the State, Pernem Police have arrest ed five locals — includ ing two constables of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) — for their alleged role in the Ugvem-Pernem firing incident that left two migrant labourers injured earlier this week. The accused have been identified as Nehal Nitin Mahale (20), Ashish Shiva ji Mahale (24), Akash Arun Mahale (24), IRBn Constable Rishikesh Dasharat Mahale (32), and IRBn Constable Gangaram Gopichand Ma hale (34), all residents of Ugvem, Pernem. North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, IPS, confirmed that the accused have confessed to the crime — exposing how the rot has seeped into the very force meant to safeguard citizens. Gupta further stated that ef forts are underway to trace and recover the vehicle and weapon used in the offence. Preliminary investiga tion indicates that the firing stemmed from festering disputes over illegal sand extraction in the area. Locals have long feared that unreg ulated sand mining would destroy paddy fields and agricultural land. SP Gupta assured that strict discipli nary action will be initiated against the police personnel involved. Sources revealed that IRBn Constable Gangaram Mahale allegedly possessed a country-made revolver and was suspected of engaging in illegal wildlife hunting — a violation of the Wildlife Pro tection Act. The revelation that serving policemen may have used unlicensed fire arms for private disputes has further eroded public confi dence in the force. Residents have demanded a joint probe by the Police and Forest Departments and questioned the role of the Lo cal Intelligence Bureau (LIB), alleging that officers turned a blind eye to rampant ille gal activity in exchange for “hafta” payments. The firing is believed to be the latest escalation in a dec ade-long conflict between local farmers and illegal sand extractors. Farmers have repeatedly complained that indiscriminate sand min ing from the Terekhol River has widened the riverbed, eroded fertile farmland, and threatened their livelihoods. Despite numerous com plaints to the Mamlatdar, po lice, and mining authorities, locals allege that the illegal activity has continued un checked. As part of the broader investigation, SP Gupta confirmed that notices un der Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Surak sha Sanhita (BNSS) have been issued to 11 canoe owners suspected of aid ing the illegal sand trade. They have been summoned to Pernem Police Station for questioning. Those issued notices in clude Soma Mulgaonkar, Andrew Fernandes, Anthony Sebastiao Joao, Johny Au gustine D’Souza, Milind alias Abhishek Naik, Domingos Fernandes, Babu Haldankar, Raju Gadekar, Marcus Fer nandes, Deepak Gadekar, and Pramod Naik.
According to police, the group was illegally extracting sand without valid permits from competent authorities on the night of October 27–28, when the firing incident occurred. During the attack, Ramrishi Paswan (54) and Lalbabu Gond (37) — both natives of Bihar and employees of Rob ert Fernandes — sustained bullet injuries to the neck and hand, respectively. Both victims are currently undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) and are reported to be stable. As part of the probe, police have interrogated 35 li censed firearm holders and examined their weapons with assistance from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to trace the firearm used in the shooting. Two separate FIRs have been registered — one under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sec tion 3 read with 25 of the Arms Act in connection with the firing, and another under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 62(2) of the Goa, Daman & Diu Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 1985, for illegal sand extraction. The investigation is being conducted under the supervi sion of PI Sachin Lokre of Pernem Police Station and SDPO Pernem Shridevi B V, IPS, under the overall guidance of SP North Goa Rahul Gupta, IPS. Meanwhile, the revelation that serving police personnel were allegedly involved in the firing incident has sparked a major political controversy in Goa, with the Opposition launching a scathing attack on the State government over the deteriorating law and order situation. Goa Forward Party (GFP) President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said, “Law and order has collapsed when those sworn to protect become perpetrators. Under the BJP government, criminals wear uniforms — as seen in the Porascadem firing case, where the gunmen them selves were police constables. This revelation, confirmed by the police, has shaken Goa. Goans are now questioning whether there is even a government in control anymore.” Sardesai further alleged that crime has risen sharply under BJP rule. “From dacoities to murders, Goa has wit nessed a terrifying rise in crime. People live in fear while policemen turn into goons in uniform. To make matters worse, a Cabinet Minister has accused an IPS officer of fa cilitating an illegal event — proving that the rot runs from top to bottom. Goa deserves governance, not gundagiri,” he said. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao also slammed the government, stating, “Having failed to keep policemen un der control, the BJP-led government has turned police sta tions into ‘gunda gangs’. This is why policemen are getting involved in crimes, extortion, and drugs. How can citizens now differentiate between a genuine police officer and a gangster at police stations? Police personnel have contrib uted to the collapse of law and order — it’s a big shame.”
