Another day, another brutal reminder that Goa’s so-called “safety” is nothing but a fragile illusion. The recent armed robbery at a bungalow in Dona Paula has shaken the conscience of the state if there's any left. Burqa-clad assailants stormed the residence of a renowned businessman and his wife, beat up the sleeping security guard, bound and gagged the elderly couple, and looted Rs 70 lakh worth of gold along with Rs 2 lakh in cash. And how did our glorified protectors in khaki respond? With silence. With delay. With shameful negligence.
This incident didn’t just expose the vulnerability of one household. It exposed the systemic rot in Goa’s law enforcement and the staggering incompetence of our police force. What’s worse? This robbery wasn’t even reported until it went viral on social media. Yes, the police tried to suppress the news as if sweeping crime under the carpet makes it vanish. Shockingly, senior officers turned up a full *28 hours* after the robbery. If that doesn’t scream dereliction of duty, what does?
This wasn’t just a robbery. It was an indictment of everything wrong with Goa’s policing. The Nagali Hills area, a well-known elite neighbourhood, has become a playground for criminals. No police patrolling for over two months. No deterrence. No presence. Just silence. Is this the price of prosperity?
Let’s talk about the security guard. An elderly man, posted outside a millionaire’s home, armed with nothing but hope. He was easily overpowered, beaten, and humiliated. And this is not an isolated case. Across Goa, security guards often retired, untrained, or desperate for a second income are thrown into the fire with zero preparation. No training, no weapons, no resistance tactics. Just a stick in hand and a prayer in heart.
Companies mint lakhs under the guise of providing “security services” and then hire the cheapest labour to maximise profits. These so-called guards don’t stand a chance. It's like asking a child to hold back a tsunami. And where are the rules, the regulations, the minimum standards? Non-existent. The State is asleep while crime sharpens its knife.
Transferring 50 inspectors is a joke when the real power players remain untouched. Everyone knows why. Connections. Corruption. Cronyism. What we need is reform, not reshuffling. What we need is a force that serves the people. Not one that’s busy escorting ministers, setting up pointless roadblocks, and collecting fines from helmetless riders while murderers, thieves, and goons roam free.
Let’s not ignore the larger truth: Goa is on the edge of a law-and-order breakdown. Crimes are on the rise. Robberies in Panjim, break-ins in capital-adjacent areas, and now this daylight disaster in Dona Paula. What’s left of the State’s pride and security is crumbling faster than ever before.
And don’t give us the tired excuse that “police can’t be everywhere.” True. But their fear can. Their presence must be felt even when they are physically absent. Criminals must think twice, not walk free. But right now? The police inspire no fear, no deterrence, no confidence. Just disappointment.
What’s even more outrageous is the passive attitude of those in power. The government treats crime like a PR problem. Not a crisis. Statements are issued. Blame is shifted. But the rot continues. It's as if they’ve accepted that crime is just part of the landscape now.
This isn’t just about Dempo’s bungalow. This is about every home, every shop, every ATM, and every street in Goa that could be next. This is about every citizen who deserves better, but gets betrayal instead.
The police force must be rebuilt from the ground up. Training, accountability, patrolling, transparency. None of this is optional anymore. The security agency racket needs regulation. And political interference in policing must end. Now.
The Dona Paula robbery is not just a crime. It’s a wake-up call. If the people of Goa don’t demand radical change today, they better prepare to live behind bars tomorrow. Not to keep criminals out, but to keep fear in.