Team Goemkarponn
Porvorim: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reiterated that a majority of criminal incidents reported in Goa involve migrants, while maintaining that public confidence in the police force has steadily improved.
Responding to a Calling Attention motion in the Legislative Assembly, jointly raised by Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao and MLAs Cruz Silva, Altone D’Costa, Venzy Viegas, and Carlos Ferreira, Sawant said only a small fraction—roughly two per cent—of crimes are committed by native Goans.
The motion expressed concern over rising incidents of theft, robbery, and crimes targeting women, children, and senior citizens, cautioning that public safety was at growing risk.
Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, admitted that the state has witnessed frequent crimes involving migrant labourers. However, he pointed out a decline in certain categories. For instance, theft cases dropped from 525 in 2022 to 314 in 2024, while robberies and dacoities also saw slight decreases. Detection rates, he claimed, were nearly 100 per cent in these categories.
However, the Chief Minister acknowledged an upward trend in crimes against vulnerable groups. Crimes against women rose from 286 in 2022 to 292 in 2023 and further climbed to 369 in 2024. Offences involving children also increased steadily—163 in 2022, 187 in 2023, and 207 in 2024.
Despite the rise, Sawant said detection rates remained high. In 2024, police solved over 92 per cent of crimes against both women and children. He credited awareness campaigns and improved trust in police for the increase in reporting. “More victims are now coming forward to file complaints. This rise in figures is due to better outreach, not worsening law and order,” he said.
Sawant detailed several police measures aimed at crime prevention: enhanced patrolling, plainclothes deployment, mandatory verification of tenants and domestic workers, widespread CCTV monitoring, and dedicated Pink Force Vans for women’s safety.
He also noted that the Goa Police have launched initiatives targeting senior citizens, including issuing emergency contact cards and carrying out routine wellness visits and education drives.
Dismissing criticism that senior Goan police officers were being overlooked in favour of absentee IPS officers, Sawant said no competent official was being side-lined. The remark came after Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai accused IPS officers of negligence and enjoying vacations while the state faced law and order challenges.
“One officer is on leave, and yet efficient local officers are being ignored. It’s ‘khao, piyo, maja karo’ for IPS officers while people suffer,” Sardesai charged. Sawant refuted the allegations and defended current postings.
