Less than three months after that there was a stabbing and shooting in Margao, where a jeweller was shot in a robbery that went wrong. Now, another five months later there has been another shooting also in Margao, where a history sheeter was attacked and shot in the leg. One has to wonder what happened to the ‘zero tolerance to guns and gang culture’ that the police had promised. Was it merely a statement, or was there any implementation at the ground level that would put the fear of the law in criminal elements?
Apparently, the fear of the law appears to have almost completely evaporated in the State. The attack and shooting near Raia Circle is a clear case of one taking the law into one’s own hands and attempting to deliver justice the old-fashioned cowboy way. Police are clear that there was some previous enmity between the attackers and Anwar Shaikh, alias Tiger who was attacked or that there were threats made. The investigation is still on. One person was immediately arrested, another the next day and the police are on the lookout for others. Shaikh has named a few people in his statement to the police, some of them also having a criminal history. This, therefore has all the elements of a gang war, and we do have to question whether such lawlessness is coming to the State.
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The fact that rods and a koita (chopper) were recovered from a car and there was a shot fired, indicates that this was a pre-mediated attempt. Law abidding citizens do not wander around with weapons in their possession.
In the past months there have been several crimes in the State. The jeweller’s murder in Margao last year and the attack on a house in St Cruz are two incidents. This week’s attack is yet another indication that lawlessness in Goa has increased. And what are the law enforcement agencies doing to curtail it? After the St Cruz shootout, the police had planned preventive action against habitual offenders and budding criminals and the District SPs were to prepare a list of top 10 habitual and budding criminals in their area and initiate action against them. Goa Police were to also investigate all angles of organised crime.
Bullets flying were was almost unheard of in the State. Now in the space of eight months there have been three incidents of shooting. To fight crime sporadic efforts will not help, only determined moves from the law enforcement agencies can make any positive difference in the State. Indications are that the law and order situation in the State has deteriorated to a large extent. If there is no strong action taken, the situation could go further downhill and quickly. Is that what we are waiting for? It will be more difficult once crime increases.
The police are investigating the case, but simultaneously the cops have to begin the promised crackdown on organised crime. Goa is tired of the statements and the promises that are made, it wants to see action, whereby the State is a safer place to live in. The action has to be double pronged with the government sending out the message that lawlessness will not be tolerated and the police acting to control crime, especially organised crime. We cannot have persons taking the law into their hands and delivering their brand of justice. Gang culture has no place in Goa. That is the message that should be sent out to the criminal elements.
