The Goa Police have in recent weeks displayed commendable efficiency in responding swiftly to several high-profile incidents. In a state often under the spotlight due to its tourism-centric image, maintaining law and order with speed and sensitivity is crucial—not only to ensure public safety but also to preserve Goa’s reputation as a secure destination.
A string of incidents showcases this timely police action. In the recent Parra murder case, both accused were apprehended within four hours of the crime being reported—an impressive feat that demonstrates the force’s operational preparedness. Similarly, in the taxi driver assault case near Pernem, the police not only chased the accused across state borders into Maharashtra but managed to arrest all three individuals within 24 hours. In another significant update, out of six reported vehicle thefts in the last week, five have already been solved, with stolen vehicles recovered and the accused in custody.
These responses reflect well on the Goa Police’s growing technological and tactical readiness. With increased use of surveillance systems, inter-state coordination, and active patrolling, law enforcement seems more proactive than reactive—an essential shift in today’s fast-evolving crime landscape.
However, while these successes deserve recognition, they also open up space for necessary introspection. The very frequency of such violent or disruptive incidents—murders, assaults, thefts—suggests a deeper, systemic problem. Crime may be handled swiftly, but it continues to occur at an unsettling pace, especially in the North Goa belt, which includes hotspots like Calangute, Anjuna, and Pernem. These areas, while being the heart of tourism in the state, often see recurring law-and-order issues ranging from drug trade to gang fights to tourist scams.
In the recent Calangute assault case reported just last night, the police were quick to file an FIR and form multiple teams to track down the accused. But again, one must ask—why do such incidents keep happening so frequently in this region? Why does it take a crime to trigger action, when preventive policing should ideally be the norm?
It’s worth noting that the Goa Police do take daily preventive measures such as tenant and labourer verification, and regularly monitor history-sheeters under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). But perhaps the outreach and visibility of these measures need to be stronger. Awareness among local communities about these checks seems limited, and more often than not, migrants or temporary residents are able to fly under the radar. With the state seeing a growing influx of migrant labour, especially in the construction and tourism sectors, better coordination with panchayats and local municipal bodies is essential.
The rising number of incidents also underscores the urgent need for more boots on the ground. Goa’s police stations—especially those in high-footfall zones like Calangute and Margao—are often under-resourced and under-staffed. Policemen work long shifts without breaks, and this can affect morale and efficiency over time. The state government must step in to improve both manpower and infrastructure, ensuring that stations are well-equipped not just for rapid response but for sustained community engagement and preventive policing.
Additionally, while chasing down criminals across borders is laudable, the same rigour must be applied to long-pending cases that have slipped out of public memory. Swift responses must not be limited to viral or high-profile cases alone. Justice must be consistent—visible not only in urgent reaction but in long-term resolution.
To its credit, the Goa Police remains committed to protecting residents and tourists alike. But in an era of growing urbanisation, increased tourism pressure, and socio-economic shifts, policing must evolve beyond emergency response. It must become predictive, community-oriented, and transparent.
Timely arrests are important—but creating a climate where such crimes don’t occur in the first place is what will truly define the next era of policing in Goa.
