KARSTEN MIRANDA
MARGAO: Residents of Goa are experiencing a growing sense of unease following a recent spate of audacious thefts across the State. What makes these incidents particularly alarming is the brazen nature of the perpetrators, who have been carrying out their crimes while homeowners and their families are asleep in their beds.
In several shocking cases, thieves have managed to enter bedrooms where family members were sleeping and successfully pilfer gold and other valuables from cupboards without waking the occupants. This level of brazenness has sent ripples of fear through the community, leaving many to question the safety of their homes and the effectiveness of current security measures.
Contrary to initial speculation, there have been no reports of victims experiencing health issues, headaches, or other after-effects that might suggest the use of sedative sprays or gases. This absence of physical symptoms has only deepened the mystery surrounding how the thieves are able to operate so stealthily.
The community’s concerns have been further amplified by the apparent lack of success on the part of local police in apprehending the culprits. Questions abound regarding the methods of entry employed by these skilled intruders. Residents are left wondering how thieves are managing to access homes through various entry points, including windows, roofs, backdoors, and even bathroom windows, seemingly at will.
The frequency and boldness of these thefts have sparked intense debate about the overall safety of residents and the urgent need for enhanced precautionary measures. Many are calling for a revaluation of home security strategies and a more robust response from the police including completing tenant verification drives and increasing patrolling at night.
For their part, local police have stated that they are actively working on these cases and pursuing leads. They have also begun advising residents to take additional preventive measures to secure their homes such as installing alarms and CCTV systems. They also suggest reinforcing entry points like doors and windows with high-quality locks and grilles. Lastly, authorities are advising residents to consider storing valuable items, particularly gold and jewellery, in bank safety deposit boxes rather than keeping them at home.
However, the lack of visible progress has led to growing frustration amongst citizens, who are hoping that there can be greater deterrents by nabbing the culprits and recovering the stolen goods.
It may be recalled that these fears locals are experiencing had been raised in the recently-concluded Assembly session too.