Ponda: Still reeling in the aftermath of the horrific murder of a jeweller in Margao, locals and especially gold jewellers from Ponda taluka have expressed concerns over the lack of safety in the area and want the defunct CCTV camera systems to be repaired immediately for maintaining strict CCTV surveillance in the future.
The Ponda Gold Dealers Association President Rajendra Karekar said their community is feeling insecure after what happened to their fellow jeweller and that the onus is now on the government and police to build confidence and create a reliable feeling of security. He recalled a murder of a Mapusa based jeweller in 2012 but how that case has still not been solved yet. He added that besides the CCTV cameras, all the streetlights need to be repaired too.
He added that this should be done throughout Goa.
Speaking about Ponda, locals point out that 22 CCTV cameras had been installed five years ago but none are working for the last three years.The monitoring system was at the Ponda Police Station but neither them nor the Ponda municipality has taken responsibility. Karekar added that the maintenance work should be given to an agency.
He also explained that there are around 40 jewellers in Ponda taluka and around 450 in Goa and all of them have installed CCTV cameras and adopted other safety measures but that there is still a threat of life to them as those in the business are a soft target.
Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Chairperson, Vishwanath Dalvi said PMC is concerned about the safety of the people and assured to look into the matter.
Ponda Police Inspector Harish Marcaikar said police are regularly patrolling the areas under the taluka Jurisdiction; and have have instructed Ponda gold jewellers to take additional safety measures for their and their jewellery’s protection, during the day and night
