Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 29: spate of violent incidents — including a firing in Pernem, street fights in Panaji, and public safety violations in Caranzalem — has once again thrown Goa’s law and order situation into sharp focus. The latest developments come close on the heels of two recent dacoities, an attack on social activist Rama Kankonkar, and a gang clash reported in South Goa just two months ago.
In the latest case, two labourers were injured after gunshots were fired during a dispute over sand extraction at Naibag, Pernem. The victims, identified as Lalbahadur Gond (37) and Ram Rishi Paswan (54), both residents of Poraskade and natives of Bihar, sustained hand and neck injuries and are undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta confirmed that multiple police teams were probing the case. “Around eight to nine persons were on the boat when the firing occurred. We have obtained crucial leads and summoned a few for questioning. Arrests will follow soon,” he stated.
The firing came barely 48 hours after a violent brawl erupted outside the Panaji Police Station on Sunday, where two rival taxi groups clashed with punches, kicks, a knuckle-duster, and even pepper spray — right in front of on-duty police personnel. One accused, Yakub Wallikar, suffered fractures to his leg and hand.
Following the incident, police arrested seven persons and seized three taxis and a scooter. A letter has been sent to the RTO to cancel the registration and permits of the taxis involved. However, no action has been taken against the police officers present during the scuffle.
Adding to the chaos, on the same day, a near-clash unfolded at Caranzalem beach when local fishermen confronted the organisers of an international open-water swimming event. Police later revealed that the organiser, Kapil Arora, had no permissions from any authority, and no safety personnel were deployed.
Participants, who collectively paid registration fees amounting to Rs 3.26 lakh, lodged a complaint, leading to Arora’s arrest for endangering public safety and cheating. The Tourism Department fined him Rs 50,000, while the Fisheries Department confirmed that no permissions were granted.
The Opposition has seized on the situation to target the BJP-led government. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that “criminals in Goa no longer fear the police,” warning that unchecked crime could soon lead to the rise of “Gangs of Goa.”
“Disputes in Goa are increasingly turning violent. The BJP government has failed to maintain law and order. Goa is no longer safe for anyone, and emboldened criminals have exposed this failure,” Alemao said.
GPCC Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar called the incidents a “shocking reminder” of the collapse of governance. “There must be an impartial investigation, strict action against those responsible, including political backers of illegal sand extraction, and accountability from the Home Minister and Chief Minister,” he demanded.
The series of violent cases follows several alarming incidents in mid-August — including a firing attack in Mungul that left two critically injured, gunfire at a car in Madkai, and a firecracker-laden car blast outside the Honda outpost during Narkasur night — all pointing to Goa’s worsening law and order scenario.