A shocking video from Zari-Zuarinagar in Sancoale has sparked alarm across Goa after it captured a violent altercation between two groups, with one individual visibly brandishing a sword in broad daylight. The footage, which surfaced on July 14, has intensified concerns over rising lawlessness and deteriorating public safety in the area.
Zuarinagar, part of the Dabolim constituency represented by Goa’s Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, has long been under scrutiny for illegal encroachments and unauthorized settlements—many allegedly inhabited by migrant populations. Sunday’s incident is being viewed as a grim reflection of deeper issues plaguing the locality, including unchecked migration, land grabbing, and alleged political appeasement.
Locals expressed deep concern over how dangerous weapons are circulating freely in what is primarily a residential area. Many fear that the recent violence is not an isolated event but a symptom of systemic neglect by both law enforcement and political leadership.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has come under renewed criticism for backing the regularization of unauthorized housing built on government and Communidade lands. Activists, civil society members, and local residents argue that such policies undermine Goa’s legal framework, heritage, and fragile land ecosystem.
Critics have labeled the current climate in Zuarinagar as "Fukatwadi Raj"—a term used to describe an environment of unchecked illegality allegedly fostered through political patronage. They accuse the leadership of compromising Goa’s future for short-term electoral benefits, ignoring the mounting pressure on infrastructure and public order.
There is growing public demand for swift and decisive intervention. Citizens are urging the Goa Police and district administration to take immediate action against those involved in the violent episode, and to clamp down on the proliferation of illegal settlements.
Activists have also appealed to the Election Commission and Judiciary to scrutinize policies surrounding land regularization, citing their potential to destabilize law and governance in the state.
Who is responsible for the growing violence and circulation of weapons in Zuarinagar?
Why are illegal structures being legitimized while legal Goan landowners face red tape?
When will the government prioritize the safety and rights of local residents over vote-bank politics?
The incident in Zuarinagar has served as a stark reminder that urgent governance and enforcement reforms are needed. If unaddressed, residents fear that similar unrest could spread to other parts of Goa, jeopardizing both security and social harmony.