Ferreira slams BJP government over rising crime in the state

Ferreira slams BJP government over rising crime in the state

MAPUSA: Amidst a surge in criminal incidents, Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Friday strongly criticised the BJP-led state government, alleging its failure to maintain law and order in Goa.

Referring to Thursday’s double murder in Saligao and the suspicious death of a local in Morjim, Ferreira said the government under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Home Portfolio, has failed to curb the rising crime graph. “The double murder at Saligao is another shocking news for the law and order of the state. Every day we are saying and raising this issue that law and order has plummeted,” he stated.

Describing the Saligao incident, Ferreira said, “The victims’ throats were slashed. This is a gruesome murder. If such things happen then how will Goans be safe?”

He also raised concerns about the death of Umakant Khot in Pernem, who had reportedly objected to certain illegalities. Ferreira said the family suspects foul play and cited the post-mortem report which indicated that a blunt object, possibly a weapon, was used against Khot. “What is the BJP government doing? The Chief Minister. who is the Home Minister, what is he doing?” he questioned.

Responding to BJP state president Damodar Naik’s remarks blaming the Congress for the rise in crimes in the state, Ferreira urged Naik to make responsible statements. “Damu Naik as state BJP president must speak responsibly. One needs to be mature and level-headed. He is not a simple karyakarta; he was even an MLA. If Damu says so then we first have to get his head checked. One cannot make irresponsible statements. He needs to think before making any statements,” Ferreira said.

“He also agrees that since 2012, BJP government is running Goa till date and as law and order has dipped, they are blaming Congress. This means it’s the BJP government’s failure. During our Congress rule, such rapes, drugs, murders were not happening. It is happening under the BJP rule. They cannot run the state, it is open and shut,” he further added.