Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 20: In the wake of several unresolved crime cases, including the recent Baina robbery, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday evening chaired a high-stakes review meeting with Goa Police, signalling rare levels of dissatisfaction with the force’s performance.

Officers from almost every police station and specialised unit were summoned. In an unusual step, they were asked to leave their mobile phones outside the meeting hall—an instruction interpreted as a sign of the gravity of the discussions.

Images from inside the meeting showed Sawant seated alone on the dais, while the DGP, IGP and SP-rank officers occupied the front row—an atypical seating pattern that underscored the CM’s scrutiny. Traditionally, the DGP sits beside the Chief Minister at such briefings.

Sources said Sawant delivered sharp reprimands, citing three major undetected robberies, including the high-profile Baina case. He was reported to have spoken bluntly about allegations of corruption within the force, reminding officers to prioritise policing over “money-making through corrupt means.”

Sawant also raised concern over the surge in road accidents linked to illegal Rent-a-Bike activity, questioning whether officers had deliberately ignored violations after taking bribes or had failed to detect them altogether. He warned officers against using government vehicles for personal errands.

Responding to a request for more CCTV installations, the CM said the government would expand coverage where required, but cautioned: “Use CCTV cameras as a tool for prevention of crime. Don’t make yourself dependent on CCTV cameras for detection.” He directed the police to strengthen beat policing and step up ground-level vigilance.