Team Herald
PANJIM: At the backdrop of some embarrassing incidents that led to even suspension of police personnel, the Goa Police have recorded an impressive performance on the law and order front with an improvement in the detection of cases as well. The annual crime data shows a significant decline by 8.26 percent in overall crime, 15.43 percent in heinous crime and 21 percent in rape cases for the year 2018.
“The crime and law and order situation remained well under control during the year 2018, and no major untoward incident was reported. The swift response of State Police led to detection of sensational crime of gang rape at Betalbatim in record time. Similarly, the gruesome murder of a woman at Old Goa, kidnapping for ransom at Vasco and the rape case of a British lady in Canacona was worked out in record time,” Director General of Police Muktesh Chander said while addressing the media on Monday.
The drug-related offenses, human trafficking and gambling cases also showed a remarkable improvement. The records show that ‘war on drugs’ resulted in increase in detection by 32 percent. During the year, 222 cases were booked under the NDPS Act and 237 persons were arrested, compared to 165 cases and 190 arrests made during the preceding year.
The department in the recent past faced the wrath of certain section of the community when two local youth, in separate incidents, were assaulted by the police personnel in public. While the DGP was quick to order departmental action for serious lapses against PSIs Raunak Kadam and Dattaprasad Toraskar for the assault on a football fan at Fatorda stadium, the assault on NRI Clint Rebello at Cuncolim attracted suspension and departmental action for serious lapses of PSI Mahesh Velip and four constables.
