the goan I network
MAPUSA
The State administration has put off the opening of the first detention centre in Goa at Mapusa but decided to operate the centre on trial basis from Monday onwards.
“After inspecting the detention centre, Chief Secretary, Parimal Rai (IAS) has expressed his satisfaction with the works. It was also decided to formally open the centre after the election process is over. However, we will conduct a trial run from Monday onwards,” said W V R Murthy, Secretary of Directorate of Social Welfare.
The chief secretary along with Director General of Police, Pranab Nanda, Director of Social Welfare, Venancio Furtado, Director of Health Services, Dr Sanjeev Dalvi and other police and civil officials conducted an inspection of the centre on Friday noon.
The old judicial lockup at Mapusa has been renovated and converted into a detention centre which will be first of its kind in the State.
Foreign nationals who violate visa norms will be lodged at the detention centre until they are deported from the country. “Provision has been made to accommodate 15 males and 8 females at the detention centre which can be expanded to house another five individuals,” said SP Bosco George at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
A senior police official informed that foreigners convicted by courts are lodged in jail but in cases where the trial is pending the accused have to be lodged in a detention centre.
The official further said that most of the cases reported against foreigners are related to drugs and overstaying.
Police had several cases of foreigners overstaying on expired visas, but in the absence of a detention centre, they would usually secure bail and continue to roam around in the State, the official said.
The old building has been renovated by the PWD at a cost of around Rs 40 lakh to set up the detention centre.
This will be the third detention centre in the country after Delhi and Lakshaweep.
DySP Maria Monserrate (FRRO), Mapusa PI Kapil Nayak, Superintendent of the detention centre, Anant Virondkar and others were also present.
