Anxiety reigns in India’s smallest state as its unprepared administration struggles with implementing the nationwide lockdown, compounded by the heavy-handed insertion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The situation threatens to blow up into an explosive social crisis. On Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared the CRPF “will be given a free hand to take action against people violating the lockdown orders".
Less than 24 hours later, there were already videos circulating of passers-by being assaulted and humiliated in the capital city of Panjim.
A broad-based coalition of citizens, Goa People's Voices COVID19 Response, has issued an official complaint, “People are on the roads due to the confusion caused by the constantly