In the early hours of Tuesday morning, two labourers involved in illegal river sand extraction were shot in Goa’s Pernem area, police officials confirmed. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:30 am along the Terekhol River—a border river between Goa and Maharashtra—has prompted a joint investigation by the North Goa Crime Branch and the Pernem police.

The victims, identified as Ramrishi Paswan, 54, and Lalbabu Goud, 37, are both natives of Bihar. According to police reports, Paswan sustained gunshot injuries to the neck, while Goud was shot in the stomach. Both men were engaged in extracting sand from the river, an activity that is banned in Goa due to its environmental impact and regulatory restrictions.

North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said that while the assailant remains unidentified, police have received initial inputs and are hopeful of making a breakthrough soon. He added that the Crime Branch and the Pernem police are working together to investigate the case, which includes tracing witnesses, collecting forensic evidence, and reviewing possible motives related to the illegal sand trade.

The Terekhol River area has long been a hotspot for illicit sand mining due to the high demand for construction materials. Despite strict laws against sand extraction in Goa, the lucrative nature of the trade has encouraged illegal operations, often leading to conflicts between labourers, traders, and vigilante or organized crime groups.

The opposition has condemned the shooting, linking it to broader law-and-order issues in the state. Congress media head Amarnath Panjikar called the incident “appalling” and said it reflects a collapse in governance. “Goa, once known for peace and safety, has now turned into a land of crime, violence, and lawlessness, exacerbated by the BJP government’s alleged patronage of illegal activities such as sand extraction, drug trade, and the land mafia,” he said. Panjikar emphasized that the Pernem firing incident highlights the failure of the state administration to protect the lives of ordinary citizens.

As of now, no arrests have been made, and police are appealing to anyone with information about the shooter or the circumstances surrounding the attack to come forward. Investigators are also exploring whether the shooting was intended as a warning or a targeted attack related to disputes over control of sand extraction operations in the region.

The incident comes amid increasing scrutiny of environmental crimes in Goa, with authorities attempting to crack down on illegal mining while balancing the livelihoods of local labourers who often depend on riverine resources. The outcome of the investigation could have implications for enforcement strategies along the Terekhol River and other areas prone to illicit extraction activities.

Officials continue to monitor the victims’ conditions in local medical facilities, and updates are expected as the investigation progresses. The police have assured the public that all measures are being taken to identify and apprehend the shooter, prevent further violence, and maintain law and order in the region.