Goa’s crime graph rising
That gruesome murder of a young Margao promising businessman Swapnil Walke is a matter of great concern. That it all happened in broad daylight and in a very busy locality is further disturbing. While the young jeweller put up a solo brave fight with his attackers, it is very sad that the public stood and watched it all. Those involved in murdering Swapnil Walke must be speedily brought to justice.
We need no further evidence that there is a total breakdown of law and order in the State. With increasing murders, rapes and burglaries, there is an urgent need to take some drastic corrective measures. Otherwise Goa will soon be as lawless alike Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
With political blessings the narcotic and flesh trade is flourishing. If the authorities conveniently continue not to be vigilant, our once golden Goa will persist to be a very safe haven for criminals. Goa’s rising crime graph is worrisome and the situation will only further worsen as long as the nexus between some politicians and criminals is not aborted.
The Supreme Court has time and again reiterated to cleanse the political spectrum of criminally tainted persons but has not been able to achieve the desired results. Our political leaders as law makers should lead by example and be role models. Crime must never pay and nobody must be above the law. Justice must be done and be seen to be done to protect our vulnerable citizens. Pray that the departed soul of our Swapnil Walke rests in eternal peace and that God gives his grieving family the strength to brace this irreparable loss.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Murder most foul
It is most distressing to note that the heinous crime graph in Goa is steadily creeping up, first the Zenito case and now this brazen murder in broad daylight of a young Margao based jeweller. What was more shocking was that no one came to the victim’s rescue even as he stumbled out of his shop all battered and bruised. Have we as humans lost our collective conscience?
The mishandling of the Covid outbreak by the government is a matter of record and now the scourge of crime is upon us, immediate and ruthless action by the law enforcement authorities is imperative and the guilty should be brought to book ASAP.
Goa is already home to well entrenched drug cartels and begging gangs, we don’t wish to add to our woes by allowing a murder mafia to flourish. The other more germane issue is the appointment of a full time Dy SP for effective monitoring of crime and meting out stringent punishment to law breakers, ad hocism would just not do. If things continue to fester this way and no corrective measures are undertaken, then the day is not far when our pretty state becomes a case of Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost ‘
Vinay Dwivedi,
Benaulim
Goa no more the oasis of peace
The murder of a young jeweller in Margao who tried to resist the robbery in his shop in broad daylight in a busy locality in the city has shocked everyone. What is equally shocking is that the people watched and filmed the crime with their smart phones but nobody tried to save the life of the victim by rushing him to the hospital nor tried to catch the assailants.
As you rightly said, Goa is no more the oasis of peace that it once was. Many crimes have happened and many more will happen now due to joblessness.
The law enforcing agencies will have to deal with crimes and criminals with an iron hand. On our part as people, we will have to be more careful and alert to prevent crime and also proactive in times of crime such as the recent Margao crime.
Rodney D’Souza,
Assagao
Better safe than sorry
In a cold-blooded murder that sent shockwaves across the state, a young Margao-based jeweller was stabbed to death in broad daylight. It is understood that around the same time an ATM was being attempted to be broken in by some persons at Fatorda and there have been attempts to rob diesel and batteries from trucks. There has been a spike in the number of attempted robberies and other crimes occurring in the state. One reason could be that many have been rendered jobless due to the pandemic. Now with the borders being open, anti-social elements could enter the state to commit various crimes. The police cannot be present at all places at all times. It is for each individual and business establishment to take necessary precaution. Shops need to hire private security guards. Two or three shops could combine and hire one security guard. CCTV cameras need to be installed in jewellry shops. The jewellry shop should be manned by more than one person at any given point of time. As far as possible a crowd should be avoided in a jewellry shop. It would be advisable that people do not wear lots of jewelry while moving out as chain-snatchers could be on the prowl. It is better to be safe than sorry. The authorities need to insist on tenant verification by the landlords, especially in the villages.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
Daylight murders and dacoities
It was a horrible news on Wednesday for every Goan not only in Goa but all around the world as the news and videos hit the social media about the death of a businessman in broad daylight while later in the same time some young lad in mid-forties was caught while attempting to rob the ATM machine next to Chowgule College, Margao.
Such incidents have raised serious questions to the government and police soft approach with such antisocial elements. Many have warned the government that such incidents will occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic post effects on economy meltdown and loss of jobs. If one has to go deep into the Goan economic crisis there are not too many choices to survive besides tourism and mining where locals were self employed and self sufficient to support the families but now the whole scenario have changed and many wild and ugly thoughts of such horrific acts haunt unemployed individuals.
The government of the day, right from the panchayat level have a very important role to play on how the unemployment and businesses can be saved in this post COVID-19 crisis.
The government cannot provide jobs to many but must help in ease of doing business which will help the Goans and which will avoid such violent activities.
Dixon Vaz, Cavelossim
National Wildlife Day
On September 4 we celebrate everything about Wildlife found in nature.
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2020 under the theme “Sustaining all life on Earth”, encompassing all wild animal and plant species as key components of the world’s biodiversity.
In India, we have 400 wildlife sanctuaries and 80 national parks. Our country boasts of a wide range of wild and endangered animals.
Goa is much more than just beaches, parties, and hippie culture. This happening destination is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna that bring a large number of the world’s wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers here every year.
On World Wildlife Day 2020, we will celebrate the special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms as a component of the world’s biological diversity.
Indeed it is a great day to adopt a pet or donate to your favourite animal shelter.
Farha Sayed, Benaulim/ Mumbai
