Economic crisis has led to law and order chaos in towns like Margao

MARGAO: Blame it on the economic meltdown due to the Covid-19 Pandemic or any other factors but, there has been a massive spike in the number of attempted robberies and other crimes. 

First, there was an attempt to break into the Damodar Sal temple, then an attempt to rob diesel and battery from trucks.

Wednesday’s audacious, street side killing is reminiscent of some of the crime-infested spots of UP and Bihar.  Shockingly, at exactly the same time that Swapnil Walke was battling to stay alive and battle the stabbing and gunshots, an ATM was being attempted to be broken in by some person in Fatorda.

 Importantly, in most of these cases, the police have a few leads. Nor have they managed to crack down on each of these cases

 The convenor of Bailancho Ekvott, Auda Viegas, who handles several crimes related to juveniles, has expressed extreme sadness over the death of Swapnil Walke, the son of her friend Krishni Walke who worked with her on several occasions. She also said “None of us could do anything to save his life. Some help was expected from those around” she said while saluting the courage of the victim.

Viegas has mentioned what very few in Margao are openly expressing and asking. Couldn’t the bystanders have been pro active to chase the robbers down or shift Walke to the hospital earlier?

An incident of an attempted ATM robbery was thwarted by locals from Chowgule College area in Fatorda and caught one person from Tilamol, aged between 30 and 40. He was then taken to the Fatorda police station and arrested. He has been booked for the offences.

In another incident, two days ago, a person who attempted to rob a battery and diesel from a truck also was caught and handed over to the police. 

Auda Viegas said, “Crimes will increase as the pandemic has made a mess of our economic lives. Especially youth will get into anti-social activities. The economy has caused a lot of problems and people have to look after their own safety”.

Raising a point of the street dwellers she said, “There is an increase in street dwellers today in Margao and nobody knows where and how they have come in. There was one person going around begging on a wheel board, now there are four.”

 Royla Fernandes, a former Sarpanch of Benaulim and a dear friend of deceased Walke said that panchayats should start tenant verification as soon as possible. “I have lost my good friend and classmate Swapnil Walke today. Time and again, we have demanded tenant verification. This time don’t ignore these warning signs in society” she said.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai added, “The Government had to have planned for this criminal aftereffect of the economic crisis. The security issue will always remain as the borders are now open and criminals can go in and out now. The gold merchants and jewellers who are considered to be soft targets need to be given protection. Illumination is needed, patrolling is to be increased”.

 The tragic irony though is that on this Black Wednesday, a young man was killed in broad daylight on the streets of Margao, under full natural illumination.