Goa, once known for its serene beaches, vibrant culture, and peaceful lifestyle, is facing a disturbing identity crisis. In the last 24 hours alone, the state witnessed four chilling incidents — a biryani vendor was mercilessly beaten in Calangute for asking a customer for the bill; minor girls were reportedly sexually abused, also in Calangute; a businessman was abducted in broad daylight in Ponda; and the Crime Branch seized drugs worth ₹40 lakh near Mapusa.
Are we really in Goa?
For decades, Goa has basked in its reputation as India’s most relaxed and safe tourist haven — a place where families could holiday without fear, where locals walked freely after sundown, and where law enforcement was largely trusted. But the recent spate of crimes raises a fundamental question — is the Goa we once knew slowly slipping through our fingers?
A Pattern, Not an Exception
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was quick to assert that “law and order has not collapsed” in Goa. Technically, he may not be wrong. But in the real world, where citizens measure safety not by statistics but by experience, perception matters. And the perception on the streets, in WhatsApp groups, in beachside shacks and village squares, is one of growing fear.
Let’s not treat these incidents as isolated occurrences. They form part of a troubling pattern that has been developing over the last couple of years:
-Drug peddlers operating with impunity in tourist belts.
– Women — and now children — no longer feeling safe in public spaces.
– Extortion rackets and brawls becoming commonplace.
– The return of open daylight crimes like abductions and assaults.
And all this is happening while Goa continues to project itself as a top-tier tourism destination and a digitally governed, investor-friendly state. If that image is to be preserved, mere assurances won’t be enough — tangible action is required.
What Is Expected from the Goa Police?
The Goa Police are not incompetent. They have, in fact, delivered in several high-profile cases — busting narcotics rackets, solving murder cases, and taking action against cybercrime. But the system seems reactive, not proactive.
Where is the visible policing in sensitive zones like Calangute and Baga, areas infamous for their nightlife and high tourist footfalls? Why are there repeated allegations of police being soft on certain crime syndicates? And what about the lack of coordination between local police stations and the intelligence wing?
It’s also concerning that in many of these crimes, outsiders are repeatedly involved — both as perpetrators and, sadly, sometimes as victims. That points to a failure in both law enforcement and vetting mechanisms. While Goa cannot close its doors to migrants or tourists, the state certainly must tighten its grip on background verification, lodging protocols, and monitoring of repeat offenders.
Is the Government Listening?
Whenever such incidents make headlines, the public is flooded with political statements, routine transfers, and promises of inquiry committees. But very little changes on the ground. The average Goan — the taxi driver, the schoolteacher, the bar owner, the working woman — wants only one thing: to feel safe again.
The Chief Minister must rise above platitudes. Acknowledging that all is not well is not a weakness — it is the first step to regaining control. Law and order is not just about statistics or FIRs; it is about public confidence.
A Call to Action
Goa deserves better. We owe it to our people — to our senior citizens, to our young girls, to the honest businessman, to the vendors who earn a living through dignity — to make this state safe again.
What must be done immediately:
1. Increased visible police presence in vulnerable zones.
2. Fast-tracked trials and convictions in heinous crimes.
3. Zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking and organized crime.
4. Strict internal vigilance within the police force to weed out corruption.
5. Community policing programs to rebuild trust with locals.
This is not the Goa we remember. But it doesn’t mean all is lost. The spirit of Goa — its resilience, its brotherhood, its warmth — still lives in its people. What we need now is leadership with courage, administration with spine, and policing with compassion and integrity.
Only then can we stop asking ourselves — Are we really in Goa? — and start saying once again, with pride — Yes, this is Goa.
