MARGAO
The Goa Human Rights Commission has issued directions to the Goa police to find out spacious place to house the Women’s Police Station, South Goa, within three months.
Addressing the media, women’s rights activist Auda Viegas said GHRC had taken cognizance of the persistent demand for housing the the women’s police station in a spacious place in Margao and has now passed an order directing the police to find the space within three months.
She said the ball now lies in the court of the Chief Secretary, DGP and district police chief how to make available the spacious space for the said police station.
Auda, however, expressed satisfaction over the police action on her demands, saying the almost 65-70 per cent of her grievances concerning the women’s police station were met by providing chairs, cupboards and toilet.
She lamented that the government has written to the DGP stating there’s no space available at the Old Collectorate, Margao, to house the women’s police station, saying it is now for the police to take a call on identifying the space for the police station. “I am happy that the GHRC had taken cognizance of the matter and has now issued directions. But, I would also like to appreciate the work of the women’s police station. This police station is basically functioning as anti-human trafficking police station, where even men are brought for investigations, leaving the women embarrassed,” she said. Replying to a question, Auda said the incumbent district police chief, SP Arvind Gawas has assured her that the Goa police would strengthen the police station with additional six police constables and two lady police sub-inspectors.
To another question, she said there ought to be will on part of the authorities to make available space for the women PS, saying the Fatorda police station was set up within days due to the intervention of the Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
