25 Oct 2020  |   05:18am IST

Citizens lash out at the authorities

The disturbing trend on the law and order front has angered the concerned citizens of Goa. While loss of jobs and lack of employment opportunities due to COVID-19 pandemic have been cited as some of the reasons behind the increase in crime, activists during their interaction with Team Herald have slammed the Goa government for failing to uphold the law and order situation in a small State.

Team Herald

The late night shootout in St Cruz village, the burning alive of a  Torda resident is reminiscent  of the type of cruel incidents that occurr in some parts of North India. That coupled with drug abuse and many such cases have brought spotlight on Goa’s image of a peaceful State.

Andrea Pereira, activist who has been raising various issues concerning the welfare of citizens, has blamed political interference into the failed law and order situation across the State. 

“There’s too much interference of politicians in policing; no proper shuffling in the police stations; bribery; lack of efficiency and knowledge in the police personnel. Criminals have no fear of the law enforcement agency as they become close friends with criminals,” she said.

 Parshuram Sonurlekar of NGO Goa First pointed out to the loss of livelihood due to the pandemic. “Many educated as well as labour class people have lost their livelihood. People are facing severe health and financial issue and this is one of the main reasons that out of frustration people tend to commit crime,” he said.

“The State government has totally failed in making a proper strategy in taking care of the people's health, employment during COVID-19 pandemic which has also directly or indirectly affected the law and order situation in the State,” Sonurkar added.

Yet another activist from Headland Sada, Xencor Polgi made a strong opinion against the government claiming that the elected representatives in power are incapable in handling and exercising their duties properly.

He further added that the present government does not take people-centric decisions. Citing the example of the Police department, Polgi claimed that more than combating crime, a large number of police can be seen imposing fines on traffic rule violations at singular spots, across the State. 

“I doubt whether the Chief Minister who is the Home minister has a control over the police department,” he said further adding, “Since many people lost their jobs and they were forced to do manual, minimal jobs with limited earnings due to the pandemic, it has also led to the increase in crime rates.”

With incidents against the vulnerable section also being reported, women activist Sabina Martins maintained that crime against women has increased has created an environment of vulnerability for them, which has marginalised women. Citing a recent incident when a newborn’s mutilated body was discovered at Siridao beach in September-end, Martins has pointed out to the weak First Information Report (FIR) that had been filed. “The possibility of unknown persons other than parents cannot be ruled out,” she said.  

Fr Savio Fernandes of Council for Social Justice and Peace has conceded that, the deterioration in law and order in the State of Goa is a cause of worry for every citizen.

"However, this situation cannot be seen only as the failure of the law and order machinery in tackling crime. We need to also condemn the governance policies, which generate criminality. Huge unemployment due to lop-sided economic policies and the resultant social disparities is one of the major contributors to crimes. More so, a State economy predominantly hinged on promoting vices of alcohol, drugs, gambling and sex trade, which employs criminals can only result in serious law and order crisis and destroy societal peace," he further said. 

(with inputs from Vibha Verma and Dhiraj Harmalkar)


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