Compared to the newly-inaugurated Fatorda police station, the Cuncolim police station has in its jurisdiction around 11 villages, besides the Cuncolim municipal area.
MARGAO
In fact, Cuncolim police station jurisdiction starts at Chinchinim-Dandeavaddo and ends at the Karmal Ghat on the NH-17. Yet, the Fatorda police station - which has in its jurisdiction only the Fatorda Municipal area and three municipal wards of housing board - seemed better off than Cuncolim in terms of manpower, including officers and constabulary.
Otherwise, consider this: While both Cuncolim and Fatorda police stations are headed by an in-charge of the rank of a police inspector, the two police stations have two Police Sub-inspectors each. Sources in the police department informed that while the government has been liberal in deputing two PSIs at the newly-inaugurated Fatorda police station, Cuncolim has been knocking the doors of the Goa police for more PSIs, but in vain. Sources said Cuncolim police station is in need of at least two more PSIs, if not more, given the huge size of the police station and the work load.
Even in respect of Assistant Sub-inspectors, the new police station at Fatorda appears in a comfortable position compared to Cuncolim. While the government has been kind enough in sanctioning two posts of ASIs for Fatorda, Cuncolim PS has a lone ASI, when there's a dire need for at least three ASIs to man the police station.
What's significant to note is the fare that while Fatorda police station has been blessed with five head constables, Cuncolim has been struggling with only three HCs, raising questions on the deployment of basic personnel at the police stations.
Says a police officer in the know, who had headed the Cuncolim Police station in the past: "Cuncolim police station has been craving for attention for over half a decade now. Staff shortage has been the perennial problem being faced by the Cuncolim police station, which has in its jurisdiction the Cuncolim municipal area and villages, including Sarzora, Chinchinim, Assolna, Ambelim, Velim, Betul-Cananguinim, Khola, Fatorpa, Morpilla, Ballli, Barcem-Paddi up to Karmal ghat," he pointed out, adding "We do not envy the staff deployment at the newly-created police station, the powers that be should adopt a holistic approach to manpower requirements at the police stations."
