OLD GOA: The 18th decennial exhibition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier concluded on Sunday, attracting a record attendance of 8 million devotees.
In response, the Goa Police reported approximately 140 arrests and initiated several cases against hawkers and beggars to ensure the event proceeded smoothly.
Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal provided details indicating that 11 individuals were charged under section 35(1) of the BNSS 2023, while three others were dealt with under the Beggars Act.
Additionally, around 100 individuals were apprehended under various sections of the Indian Police Act for hawking and obstructing public transport. Kaushal noted that two cases of theft and chain snatching were successfully resolved, leading to the recovery of stolen items and the dismantling of a gang comprising six members.
Furthermore, a notable thief was arrested as a preventive measure. The total of 140 arrests included suspects related to preventive law enforcement, as well as those involved in begging and hawking.
The Old Goa police also recovered stolen gold valued at over Rs 1.28 lakh, which included gold pieces weighing 3.1 grams and 8 grams, as well as another piece weighing 5 grams.
The police successfully identified and apprehended the gang, which included older members from Maharashtra, by utilizing CCTV footage from strategic locations near the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral.
In a separate incident, Vasant Mani from Tamil Nadu was arrested for possessing stolen items, including a laptop and watches valued at Rs 2 lakh. Kaushal reported that Mani had stolen the bag from its owner, Narendra Mendon, while traveling on a train from Bangalore to Mumbai. Mani has been remanded in judicial custody for ten days.
The police asserted that hawking and begging were effectively eliminated, thereby ensuring unobstructed pathways for the public and a smooth flow of traffic.
As many as 1,200 police personnel were posted on a daily basis with an additional 320 officers on peak days. High-tech surveillance included 450 CCTV cameras, six AI-based devices for facial recognition, and strategic deployments of Quick Reaction Teams and commandos from the Anti-Terrorist Squad.