Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 30: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa president Valmiki Naik has blamed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for what he described as the growing gun culture and deteriorating law and order situation in the state following the targeted shooting outside a hotel in Porvorim.
Naik, addressing the media on Saturday, a day after the shooting, expressed shock over the incident and alleged that gun-related and casino-linked crimes were becoming increasingly common under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
He claimed that Goa was increasingly being seen by criminals as a place to either commit crimes or evade law enforcement.
“Such incidents have been happening much more frequently in Goa, especially since the BJP government came to power in 2012. The law and order situation has completely slipped out of their hands,” Naik said.
The comments came after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at Srinivas Nayak, director of Majestic Pride Hotels and Resorts, outside his hotel near a casino in Porvorim on Friday evening. Nayak escaped unharmed, while police launched an investigation and intensified surveillance across the state.
Naik particularly questioned how such an attack could take place close to the North Goa police headquarters when the Chief Minister also holds the Home portfolio.
“The biggest fear regarding this issue is that this incident occurred right in front of the North Goa District Headquarters, meaning right in front of the police station, from where the casino is visible. In such a place, without any fear, these people came carrying guns and opened fire on the businessman who is the director of the casino. This shows that these criminal elements have no fear of the police either,” he said.
He also pointed to the timing of the shooting, which occurred just two days before the Goa Legislative Assembly session was scheduled to begin in Porvorim.
Naik said security arrangements would ordinarily be strengthened around the Assembly ahead of a session, including increased police deployment and checkpoints.
“The place where this happened is where the Goa Legislative Assembly is located, and the assembly session is set to start in two days. Normally, security is increased, checkpoints are set up, and complete security measures are taken before a session,” he said.
He accused the Chief Minister of failing to fulfil his responsibility as the state's Home Minister and alleged that preventive security measures appeared to be focused more on protesters than criminals.
“Pramod Sawant seems to think that preventive measures are only for protesters and not criminals,” Naik said.
Naik further criticised Sawant over the broader law and order situation and took a political swipe at the Chief Minister, alleging that he was more concerned about the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
“The Home Minister and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is failing to handle Goa's law and order. His mind is elsewhere; perhaps he is busy with politics because of the upcoming elections, worrying about his impending defeat,” he remarked.
His criticism comes as other opposition leaders have also questioned the state government's handling of the Porvorim shooting. The Congress has raised questions over alleged leaks of CCTV footage and investigation details, while other opposition leaders have described the incident as evidence of a deterioration in law and order.
AAP Goa vice-president Manuel Cardoso said the incident could damage Goa's reputation as a tourist destination.
“If a big businessman is not safe a stone's throw from the assembly and North Goa HQ,” he questioned, how could tourists be expected to feel safe in the state.
AAP leader Jack Sukhija also called for the eradication of what he described as the gun culture that had taken hold under the BJP government.
Meanwhile, the shooting itself remains under investigation. Police and other investigative agencies have examined the crime scene and CCTV footage, while possible motives, including business rivalry, are being looked into. As of the latest reports, the alleged shooters had not been publicly identified or confirmed arrested.
The incident has triggered renewed political debate over law and order in Goa, particularly because of the location of the attack near the state Assembly and North Goa police headquarters.