Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Aug 23: Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai raised alarm on Friday over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, citing recent shoot-outs in Mungul and Madkai as signs of growing criminal activity. He urged chief minister Pramod Sawant to relinquish the home ministry and hand over the portfolio to senior minister Ravi Naik.

Sardesai said citizens no longer feel safe, and strong action is needed to curb rising lawlessness. “The Home portfolio should be entrusted to Ravi Naik. He proved himself in the 1990s by cracking down on criminal elements during his earlier tenure as Home Minister,” he stated.

He accused the ruling BJP of shielding wrongdoers through political interference, claiming that a recent incident involved a BJP office bearer who was protected from arrest and instead named as a witness by the police. “This clearly shows how politics is weakening police action,” Sardesai alleged.

The Goa Forward leader also referenced former chief minister Digambar Kamat, who recently pointed out that key portfolios should be distributed among cabinet members. “Kamat handed over both Home and Finance to his ministers during his tenure from 2007 to 2012,” Sardesai noted.

Speaking on the spate of violence, Sardesai warned of increasing underworld activity in the state, claiming such elements operate with impunity due to alleged police and political protection. “When police officers are assaulted, it shows that the public no longer fears the law. Political interference is preventing honest officers from getting critical postings,” he said, calling on the Director General of Police to assert the strength of the force.