MARGAO
After The Goan exposé on how traffic violators are forced to pay the challans at a wine store by the home guards attached to the Colva police station, instances of harassment meted out by these home guards to victims with alleged patronage from the men-in-uniform have come to the fore.
A resident of Colva, Saturnino Rodrigues recalled how the home guards attached to the Colva police station harassed his employees, driving his transport vehicles to deliver water packages, on the pretext the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
Saturnino contended that the home guards were not ready to listen to the plea made by his driver that he was only reversing his vehicle and that he was not driving on the highway or the main road.
“The home guards had terrorised my vehicle driver by taking his driving licence and was asked to show all the documents. Even after the fine of Rs 1,000 was being paid, the home guards and a Police officer said the same is now impounded and they are now sending it for six months cancellation to the Transport department,” he added.
What has agitated Saturnino is the fact that the Police department did not even conduct an inquiry on his complaint, leave alone initiate action against the cops or the home guards.
“I had reported the facts taking all the pains to bring to the notice of the police higher-ups, the happening at the Colva Police station. Despite the lengthy complaint in detail, there was no action or acknowledgement from any of the representatives of the addressees on the complaint. It might have gone to the dustbin,” he said.
He added: “I had even spoken to the Director General of Police, who informed me that his subordinates, including the District SP and Police will take cognisance of the complaint lodged by his driver, and take it to the logical conclusion. However, the SP is famous for assurances but no actions as I have experienced after meeting him for various other complaints that needed attention. His assurances are pleasing but not the service. Maybe, the SP is more busy with various other important cases.”
Saturnino said the exposé by The Goan is an eye opener for the Goa police to see the ground reality and mete out justice to the motorists and riders exploited under the guise of traffic violations.
