Close on the heels of the brutal police assault on FC Goa fan Lester D’Souza, the men in uniform are at it once again, this time thrashing a Betul youth black and blue. A team of five policemen pounced on Clint Rebello pounding him with belts, punches on the face and kicks causing severe injuries. Enduring the injuries and the pain that was inflicted on him, Clint was being shuffled across police stations and was facing the wrath of policemen in the dead of the night.
Apparently, there were verbal exchanges and an altercation when the police mistakenly halted Clint’s car which was moving past a Betul accident site. The possibility of the youth using offensive language is also not ruled out. But the argument is not about who began the provocation or who made the first move. Facing mischievous behaviour from agitated citizens has been part and parcel of the job for the men in uniform, more especially in the late hours. They should have been trained in handling unruly behavior, if any. Provocation doesn’t give the police the license to unleash such savage attacks on common citizens. Those involved in assault on policemen cannot go unpunished, but this is not the way to settle scores. There cannot be an eye for an eye situation here. Under no circumstances can the police resort to such brutalities.
Lessons from the recent FC Goa match episode have not been learnt. Director General of Police, Muktesh Chander has overlooked police atrocities on lay citizens as evident in the Lester case where a departmental inquiry is initiated. By refusing to even register an FIR, the police have once again sent out a loud and clear message that they are not going to succumb to pressure. There is an immediate FIR lodged against Clint for allegedly assaulting policemen at Betul, but there is no FIR against the police despite the fact that photos showed severe body and face injuries. In any ordinary case of attack, wouldn’t the police act based on the visible body injuries? Can the DGP tell what other proof is required to prove assault? Or are we to believe there is going to be yet another departmental inquiry on the lines of the Lester saga?
Sub-divisional Police Officer, Margao DySP Raju Raut Desai who conducted an inquiry into the assault on Lester is again appointed as the inquiry officer in this case. And in all probability this will go the way the Lester case has gone. We hope the Goa Human Right Commission takes cognizance of this incident and swings into action mode promptly.
It’s time Goa police is given counseling sessions and training in handling situations. We have heard of awareness weeks in every curve of enforcement where police teach people the nuances of laws. It’s time police bosses begin awareness camps for police to teach the basics of handling tough situations. It’s unfortunate to see law keepers turn law breakers and it’s even worse to see police bosses turning a nelson’s eye.
