Police, civic officials inspect Mapusa market after break-ins at six shops

Mapusa: After break-ins at six shops in Mapusa market, SP Salim Shaikh and PI Naveen Desai conducted a joint inspection on Saturday. Police were accompanied by members of the Mapusa Traders Association, council members and representatives of civic organisations.

Police reviewed the security infrastructure and assured the agitated traders that a strict vigilance would be maintained. “We are scanning available CCTV footage. Suspicious movements of a person have been spotted, and we are confident of making an arrest soon,” Desai said.

Mapusa Traders Association president Jitendra Phalari, expressed deep frustration over administrative inaction.“ In a glaring lapse, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has failed to install CCTV cameras in the market—six years after a resolution was passed to do so. With the project still stuck on paper, local businesses remain highly vulnerable to crime,” Phalari said.

A delegation led by social activist Sanjay Barde, along with functionaries of Congress and civic activist body ‘Together for Mapusa’, submitted a memorandum. Their demands include, a strict police blockade in the market between 10pm and 6am, mandatory identity cards issued by the municipality for traders, employees, and vendors, and a verification drive of homeless individuals and laborers.

The civic forum also issued a seven-day notice to authorities to show improvements in law and order. tnn