Tension esca lated sharply in Colva on Friday as protests intensi fied following the return of Police Inspector Vikram Naik to the Colva Police Sta tion, triggering fresh out rage among residents and drawing direct political in tervention from Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas. A day after Naik briefly resumed charge, villagers once again mobilised in large numbers outside the police station, making it clear that their opposition to his post ing remained unchanged despite his earlier transfer under public pressure. Taking up the issue, Vie gas led a delegation to meet South Goa Superintendent of Police Santosh Desai, pressing for Naik’s immedi ate replacement and warn ing that his reposting had reignited tensions rather than resolving them.
“We have explained the grievances to the Superinten dent of Police and the Deputy Superintendent of Police. Locals do not want him at the Colva Police Station,” Viegas said, adding that the community expects prompt action from the government. Naik’s return has revived anger over earlier allegations, including claims of harassment, failure to address public grievances and a controversial incident in which he alleg edly entered a local church with uniformed police person nel — an act which hurt religious sentiments. Residents reiterated that their protest was not personal but based on repeated complaints against the officer. Vie gas echoed this position, stating that multiple complaints had already been raised with senior authorities and the matter had even been flagged to the Chief Minister. “We don’t want to raise the cases again and again. Lo cals are demanding his removal and that is the demand of everyone. He has to stay out of Colva police station,” he said. Questioning the administrative decision, Viegas also raised concerns over the timing of Naik’s reposting. “If the election code of conduct is being cited as a reason to delay his removal, then bringing him back during the same period is equally questionable,” he said. On the ground, the protest gathered momentum through Thursday and spilled into Friday, with residents warning of a larger agitation if their demands were ignored. Dep uty Superintendent of Police Siddhant Shirodkar met the protesters and accepted a memorandum outlining their demands, even as police presence was stepped up to main tain order. Voices from the community underscored the intensity of local sentiment. Social worker and activist Fidoll Pereira alleged that the officer’s track record and actions had erod ed public trust and hurt religious sensitivities. “We are protesting against the injustice that has been done,” she said. Pereira stressed that opposition to Naik’s posting was unanimous among locals and warned against prolonging the issue. She also questioned the rationale behind repost ing an officer who had previously faced strong public re sistance. Despite assurances from police officials that the matter would be reviewed, no final decision had been announced by Friday evening, leaving the situation uncertain. Resi dents have indicated that they are prepared to escalate their agitation and take the matter to higher authorities, including the Chief Minister, if their demands are not met. Naik, who had taken charge at Colva Police Station in June 2025, had earlier been shifted out following sustained protests over his conduct. His sudden return has now brought the issue back to the boil, with Colva once again on edge as the standoff between residents and the police shows no signs of easing.
