LAW AND ORDER
Police to set up beat post at Palolem beach shortly
To check extortion, drug abuse and prostitution
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP)and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Quepem, Sammy Tavares has offered to set up a police beat post at Palolem beach, to tackle incidents of extortion and assault by a gang of teenagers as well as the drug abuse and prostitution along the Canacona beach coast.
He was addressing a gathering at a public meeting in Palolem on Saturday evening, after a large number of people voiced their concern over deterioration in law and order along Canacona's coast.
During the public meeting organised by Canacona Jagruti Samiti at Palolem, CMC Chairperson Prathana Naik Gaunkar and several speakers cited various instances of goondagiri, extortion, abuse, assault by an organised gang, leaving several residents and tourists insecure in Canacona.
After listening to their concerns, DySP Tavares agreed to recommend a police outpost at Palolem, but admitted that it would be a lengthy process as government sanction was necessary.
“But as an immediate stop-gap arrangement, the police can immediately set up a beat-post at Palolem, if a two-room structure with toilet facility is made available,” assured DySP Tavares.
Responding immediately to his request, businessman and Sankhali Municipal Council Chairperson Dharmesh Saglani offered a two-room accommodation to house the beat post at Palolem and DySP Tavares agreed to move the file accordingly.
DySP Tavares also assured to intensify patrolling all over the taluka.
“Police have already initiated an inquiry to detect members of the organised gang and accordingly, action will be taken. Special care will be taken to crack down on drugs and prostitution rackets operating in the taluka, but we need public cooperation in this matter,” he said.
Besides the CMC chairperson, others who spoke at the gathering included Deputy Chairperson Samita Dhuri, Palolem Councillor Divakar Pagui, Councillor Shamsunder Dessai, former headmaster Shantaji Naik Gaunkar and some senior citizens.
Some residents felt that the police were not serious in tackling the crimes, as arrests had been far and few in many cases.
DySP Tavares guaranteed confidentiality when tips and clues were forwarded to the police.
During the meeting, the residents passed two resolutions - one to thank the police for taking serious note of their concerns and the second, asking police to tackle the anti-social elements terrorising the public and tourists within a month.
Others present at the function included former CMC chairpersons Simon Rebello, Ramakant Naik Gaunkar, Ratnakar Dhuri, Goenkar President Jack Fernandes, AAP Canacona coordinator Sandesh Telekar, PI Ravi Dessai and PSI Prashal Dessai.
