MARGAO
Asserting that Goa needs a professional police force, the Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) has said the first step in this direction would be for the DGP to initiate strong action against the responsible officer who stamped on the chest of a woman protester at Melauli village.
GFDO Convenor Fr Eremito Rebello said it is time the government understands that the police force cannot be used to intimidate and physically assault the very people who pay for their salaries and who have put the politicians in power.
He said action against the police officer for the Melauli incident would send a clear and unambiguous message to the rest of the force that such lawless behaviour on the part of the law enforcement arm is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
“In the past few months, the state of Goa has erupted with the cries of distressed people heard through protests and campaigns from all corners of the land. The government, true to its draconian track record, has reacted with characteristic heavy-handed callousness, that goes against the tenets of accepted democratic norms,” he said.
Fr Eremito said the DGP has been prompt in filing serious and unjustified charges against the Melauli leaders including the charge of attempt to murder. “What charge is he going to file against his police officer who has been caught on video physically abusing a Goan woman?” he questioned, adding, “there is no doubt that he could have possibly killed or maimed the woman by stepping on her chest.”
“There have been very disquieting and revealing indications of apparent unprofessionalism in the force, which have created terror, intimidation and anger amongst citizens and further aggravated and inflamed already tense situation instead of defusing it,” he added.
He said there was an unfortunate lack of understanding and training among the police decision-makers and this was affecting the personnel.
