PANAJI
A day after a confrontation at the Sanguem police station during an inquiry into the Nondurlem bridge dispute, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued a stern warning that those attempting to obstruct or physically intimidate police personnel would face strict action. The government, he said, has given complete powers to the force to act against such errant behaviour.
Without referring to any individual or incident by name, Sawant said the police had long exercised restraint because of Goa's close-knit social fabric. He, however, cautioned that such restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. “We look at people from a human perspective. Goa is a small State where the police and the public often know each other. That is why our police exercise patience and restraint, so that people do not face unnecessary hardship,” Sawant said, addressing a gathering after distributing appointment letters to newly appointed Police Sub-Inspectors and handing over 46 vehicles to Goa Police. “But no one should mistake that restraint for weakness. I have given full powers to the police. If anyone obstructs or assaults a police officer while performing their duty, the police will not remain silent. They have my full backing to take firm action in accordance with the law," he said. Sawant, also Home Minister, further said the police must continue to deal with the public patiently and humanely, but should not hesitate to adopt a tougher approach whenever the situation demands it.Highlighting efforts to modernise policing, Sawant said the force had reduced its emergency response time to nine minutes and was working to bring it down further. The newly inducted vehicles, he said, would strengthen highway patrolling from Pernem to Canacona while supporting traffic police, district police stations and the State Police Control Room. Sawant also appealed to motorists to drive responsibly, recounting an accident of a young bike rider near Amona bridge shortly before he reached the event. “Control your speed... people should also avoid using mobile phones while driving,” he urged as he stressed that AI cameras, traffic signals and police deployment were meant to save lives and not to harass the public.
