Locals raise alarm over rise in crimes on Margao station road

Margao: Residents along both sides of the station road near Margao railway station have raised concerns over a rise in criminal activity in the area and demanded intensified police patrolling to curb thefts, chain-snatchings and incidents of people being waylaid after dark.The Ravanfond-Colmorod stretch has emerged as a hotspot, with locals reporting several incidents over the past week. Beggars and drunkards are frequently seen occupying footpaths through the day and night, causing inconvenience to pedestrians, especially women.Former Margao Municipal Council councillor Jaffer Budani, who has been raising the issue, said the situation is alarming. “There have been several incidents over the last week where people have been robbed, waylaid and subjected to chain-snatching in the station road area of Colmorod,” he said.Budani recounted an incident in which two unidentified men arrived on a motorcycle around 3am four days ago, climbed to the second floor of a residential building and rang a doorbell. The occupants, who spotted the strangers through the keyhole, did not open the door. A similar incident was reported two days later on the first floor of the same building.“This has created panic among locals. The police have been made aware of the incidents and should increase patrolling along this road,” he said.

Budani also highlighted the situation on the Aquem side of the railway station. “From Victor Hospital to the fire station, the area has become a safe haven for anti-social elements. Beggars and vagabonds sleep on roadsides and footpaths, cook, wash and bathe there, creating an extremely unhygienic situation,” he said, demanding action against the mushrooming of illegal hutments in the area.Residents urged Margao police to intensify patrolling on both stretches without delay, to control the menace.