One problem that has been persistently affecting the pedestrians, drivers and riders alike is that of stray cattle dictating the roads and posing danger around. The problem is even worse in the rainy season with the greenery abounding everywhere providing free intake for the cattle making them thrive even more. This is one issue that the vigilant citizens have been repeatedly bringing to the notice of the authorities for taking viable action but that has been rendered fruitless and the scourge particularly during the monsoons becoming a nuisance to everyone. The newspapers often display the havoc created by the cattle on our perilous roads.
Why is the government so mute on this issue instead of initiating steps like impounding the cattle and putting it behind shelters and penalising the owners for their acts of recklessness before releasing the same? Is it such an insurmountable problem to evade any feasible solution? It only reflects on the apathy of the government on this issue that has been witnessed all over Goa since decades. We sometimes wonder whether it is the tacit pronouncement of the government in showing extra reverence to the cattle centered round the ‘cow god’!
It is fitting to comment at this juncture on the vandalising of religious structures along the roadside and the cemeteries in South Goa and the total inaction of the police in getting behind the root of the problem. So far the politicians and other activists have not missed an opportunity to target outsiders as being responsible for such disreputable attacks and have even felt that there is a terrorist twist attached to these crimes.
Unlike thefts done in houses in total secrecy, these are acts done in the open as if with total licence. The government is answerable to the public on police inactiveness. There have been demands from some quarters for handing over the matter to the CBI, which seems to be the only alternative left with situation getting from bad to worse with the desecrations taking place without any fear of being apprehended.
‘Slow and steady wins the race’ is an old adage. The need of the hour is to be prompt and forceful in nailing the culprits. Everyone wants to know who is behind these offensive actions.
