Police brutality and excessive use of force on innocent civilians must stop. The manner in which an innocent Goan youth Edwin Coelho was assaulted by PSI Stanley Gomes in a dark room and his ears ruptured brings to light the rot prevailing in the police force. If in a fit of anger and frustration Edwin had retaliated, I think the entire Margao police force may have pounced on him and killed him. There may have been some reason for the cop to react, but Edwin didn’t deserve such a third-degree treatment for no reason.
This assault also brings to light how a seafarer Rudolf was so badly beaten that it resulted in his death. Why police become beasts is unimaginable. It is not just this particular case, but there will be hundreds of testimonies from people who have faced the brute force of policemen who are roaming scot-free. People should come forward and report abuses and assaults by cops to the media because the police won’t file FIRs against their own men. Let the newspapers report and courts take cognizance of these cases. If people don’t come forward then more innocent citizens will be attacked and killed. The newly appointed DGP and also the Margao superintendent of police should act against the PSI to restore public faith in the police force. Also, the PSI has no moral right to remain any longer in the police force. He is worse than a goon for the action he has committed. If the top brass in the Goa police fails to act, then the Supreme Court should take suo moto cognizance of the matter and deliver justice to the victim.
