In a reiteration of his contentious comments from 2023, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated on Tuesday that over 90% of crimes in the state are perpetrated by migrants.
During the Zero Hour of the Legislative Assembly session, Sawant emphasized the importance of crime prevention strategies, highlighting the necessity of raising public awareness. He noted that a key initiative by the police department is the verification of laborers and tenants. “Homeowners should not rent to unknown individuals without ensuring their backgrounds are checked by the police,” he remarked.
Addressing the ongoing discussion regarding law enforcement and public safety, Sawant underscored that tenant and labor verification is a vital part of the government’s crime prevention and security enhancement approach.
“Many individuals come to Goa for work, and subsequently, some engage in criminal activities such as theft, sexual assault, and robbery. A careful examination of criminal incidents in Goa reveals that more than 90% are linked to migrants. I reiterate, over 90% of the crimes are committed by migrants. Hence, we are emphasizing the need for tenant and labor verification,” he stated.
Viresh Borkar, an MLA from the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), raised concerns in the Assembly regarding the deteriorating law and order situation and the surge in crimes over the past three years. He referenced a recent shooting involving a casino director and incidents of drug trafficking within Colvale jail. Borkar pointed out that while the Goa police boast a crime detection rate of 98.92%, the conviction rate for offenders is alarmingly low at just 5.85%. He questioned the government’s failure to install additional surveillance cameras to deter criminal activity.
Venzy Viegas, a legislator from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), also challenged the government’s crime prevention initiatives. “If you acknowledge that 90% of crimes are linked to migrants, what are the next steps? Beyond tenant verification, how does the government intend to reduce this crime rate from 90% to zero?” Viegas inquired.
In response to whether the government had conducted any studies on the evolving nature of crime in the state over the past five years, Sawant confirmed that regular analyses are performed on the profiles of arrested individuals involved in serious crimes, including their origins, repeat offense history, and potential connections to interstate or organized criminal networks.
Regarding measures to monitor and combat crime, Sawant mentioned the deployment of PCR vans, motorcycles, and highway patrol units for extensive mobile patrolling both day and night. He noted the presence of Tourist Police at beaches and other vulnerable areas to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors, alongside continuous police surveillance at all railway stations. He added that ongoing assessments of narcotics-related cases and intelligence gathering are conducted to identify organized drug networks and habitual offenders.
In 2024, the chief minister linked the increase in “scams” to the rise in migration. He cited incidents occurring in Goa and mentioned a recent human trafficking case where the police successfully rescued a young woman promised a job abroad.
Previously, in 2023, Sawant had asserted that migrant workers were responsible for 90% of the crimes in Goa. He emphasized that every migrant worker should possess a labor card, as those who commit crimes often return to their home states, complicating law enforcement efforts. He claimed that the majority of these criminals come from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Following his comments, he stated that his words were misrepresented by certain political figures.
Pavneet Singh Chadha serves as the Goa Correspondent for The Indian Express, where he provides in-depth coverage of the state’s political landscape, governance issues, and significant local events, showcasing his extensive expertise in the region.
His expertise includes comprehensive geographical coverage of Goa, with a focus on investigative reporting related to major incidents, tracking government and law enforcement actions, and addressing policy and governance matters.
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