A brazen daylight attack on a goldsmith in Borda, Fatorda has reignited concerns over public safety and the glaring absence of functional CCTV surveillance in key areas of Margao city.
The incident took place on a busy street and left residents shaken. Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified assailants assaulted and robbed the goldsmith, fleeing the scene before anyone could intervene. Police rushed to the spot and launched an investigation, but efforts to trace the culprits have been severely hampered by the lack of CCTV footage in the area.
This has triggered a wave of criticism directed at the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), with citizens questioning why CCTV cameras that were once installed have either vanished or fallen into disrepair.
“This isn’t the first time we’re seeing such a lapse,” said Vinod Naik, a shopkeeper near the crime site. “Crimes keep happening, but without cameras, there’s no way to catch the criminals. It’s unacceptable.”
Residents allege that many of the cameras set up a few years ago under the municipal surveillance initiative have either been quietly removed or left non-functional due to lack of upkeep. “Some cameras are just hanging loose from poles. Others have disappeared altogether,” said Sandra Rodrigues, a resident of Aquem.
In response, the MMC claims it is working on a comprehensive plan to revamp the city’s surveillance network. The council has identified over 30 high-priority locations—including markets, traffic junctions, and isolated stretches—for installation of high-definition CCTV systems. The project includes integration with the police control room and provisions for routine maintenance.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of the issue and are moving forward with a phased rollout of the new surveillance system,” said an MMC official.
Until the plan is fully implemented, Margao Police have urged business owners and residents to install private CCTV units to help bridge the monitoring gap.
Meanwhile, the goldsmith attack serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for accountability, upkeep of existing infrastructure, and swift action to restore confidence in public safety systems.