the goan I network
MAPUSA
A day before national BJP President Amit Shah arrives in the State, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo in a scathing attack on his own government said the BJP-led government in the State was going in the wrong direction and blamed the chief minister for the impasse in functioning of Goa Police.
Lobo also called for immediate transfer of senior police officers, who are not from Goa.
“Goa Police personnel want to become challaning officers. They are not interested in detection of crime. I really feel pity over the state of affairs of Goa Police. But I am not blaming them. I am blaming the heads of police departments, the secretary of home and the chief minister,” Lobo said.
Within 48 hours, this is the second time the deputy speaker has slammed the Goa Police for focusing on issuing challans on roads and ignoring other crimes in the State. He was addressing the media while on a visit to a wine store in Canca, which was burgled in the wee hours of Friday. He said with police officials forced to be on roads and issue fines against motorists, there was no staff to keep vigil at nights and to investigate other crimes.
“As a responsible citizen of Goa and the Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, I am putting a charge on this government of the day that its direction is gone wrong. They are working in the wrong direction,” a belligerent Lobo said.
Stressing that people’s security was more important than making police stand on roads to issue challans, he urged the cabinet ministers in the government to speak up.
“I really don’t understand whether the 12 cabinet ministers are aware of this. I have spoken so many times. They should also ask. Kai ho sarkar ososch cholta (or will this government keep running like this)?” he said.
Lobo further disclosed that police officers of the rank of DySPs and PIs have confided in him that they were made to stand on roads and issue challans.
“They are being given monthly targets to issue challans or else, Rs 10,000 will be deducted from their monthly salary. Looks like this government has no money,” he said.
To a question, the deputy speaker said he will write to the chief minister or else fix an appointment and meet him at his residence.
“Earlier when things went wrong, I met him and he took corrective steps. I think the CM does not know. He has been kept in the dark on the issue,” he averred.
He also opined that some senior police officers should be changed and sent out of Goa.
“Some senior officers who are in Goa Police who are moving in wrong direction need to be transferred. They are not from Goa and they are not bothered. They think whatever they are doing is the law,” Lobo said without
taking names.
