CRIMES IN GOA, WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL?

The crime rates in Goa are not as large a number as seen in India, yet Goa continues to have serious crimes in Goa. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had asked for data of crimes across talukas in Goa, while Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar had asked about cyber crimes in Goa. The statistics are as follows:

Cases of Rape, Murder, Flesh Trade and Kidnapping of Minors are reported as part of serious crimes. The most number of cases reported in Goa are of Rape with an average of 60 to 70 cases every year. 42 cases have been reported so far till June 2022. The average number of cases of Flesh trade reported was 40 to 50 yearly till 2019, this has reduced since 2020 to 15 to 20, with 7 cases reported till June 2022. The average cases of Kidnapping of minors reported ranges from 30 to 60 yearly. The cases reported till June 2022 are 25. While, the number of murder cases ranges from 26 to 34 annually. The cases reported till June 2022 are 24. Cyber crimes reported annually range from 11 to 27 numbers. The cases reported till June 2022 are 24.

These cases have been reported throughout Goa. While in some cases, the accused has been acquitted, some have been convicted and in many cases the investigation is on or trial is pending. It is also important to note that the victims of rape and flesh trade are usually women, while kidnapping cases reported in the data are specifically of minors. This affirms the safety concerns of women and children raised by citizens.

The cases continue to remain in the same range without much variations in numbers. While citizens claim that crimes are rising in Goa, Goa Police has stated that nabbing of accused have increased.