Team Goemkarponn
CORTALIM: Congress leaders Mahesh Nadar and Olencio Simoes have condemned the alleged attack on a family at Zuarinagar in Sancoale, demanding a thorough investigation and alleging that political patronage is allowing criminal elements to operate with impunity in the area.
Cortalim Congress leader Mahesh Nadar called on the police to identify those allegedly backing criminal elements and investigate the circumstances contributing to the law and order concerns in Zuarinagar.
“The police must find out who the real culprit is and who is backing these goons in Zuarinagar. Such incidents cannot be allowed to continue, and the people responsible must be brought to justice,” Nadar said.
He demanded that the investigation establish whether any individuals were shielding those allegedly involved in criminal activities and ensure that all those responsible were brought to justice.
Congress leader Olencio Simoes criticised the government, alleging that the law and order situation in the Cortalim constituency had deteriorated over the past four-and-a-half years, with illegal activities and businesses allegedly increasing across the area.
Expressing concern over recurring murders, violent clashes and assaults in Zuarinagar, Simoes said the latest incident should not be treated as an isolated case. He alleged that the area had a high concentration of history-sheeters and questioned whether the police and government were doing enough to curb criminal activities.
“The people of Zuarinagar and the wider Cortalim constituency cannot be expected to live under a constant cloud of fear. Every violent incident must be investigated thoroughly, and those responsible must be brought to justice, irrespective of their political connections or influence,” Simoes said.
Referring to information that 10 history-sheeters had been notified by Verna police station, Simoes called for a comprehensive investigation into possible links between criminal networks, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, extortion and violent offences.
He further alleged that political patronage was enabling certain criminal elements to operate without fear and called for an independent probe to determine whether influential individuals were protecting those involved in unlawful activities. He emphasised that the allegations should be examined on the basis of evidence and without political interference.
Simoes also raised concerns over drug-related activities and student safety, referring to reported deaths involving eight students associated with BITS Pilani, Goa. He called for stronger enforcement measures against drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
Appealing to Chief Minister and Home Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Simoes demanded that the government order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into recurring incidents of violence in Zuarinagar and across the Cortalim constituency.
He said the proposed investigation should examine possible criminal networks, allegations of political protection and potential lapses in policing. Such a probe, he maintained, would help establish accountability, address public concerns and restore confidence in law enforcement.
The Congress leaders reiterated that a thorough and impartial investigation was necessary to ensure justice for the affected family and prevent further incidents of violence in the constituency.
