A magisterial inquiry report in 2013 had virtually pulled up the state administration over the state of affairs of the Colva police station having its jurisdiction over Salcete's coastal belt - spanning from Cavelossim to Majorda.
the goan I network
MARGAO
In fact, the inquiry officer, Sandhya Kamat has come out clear in her report, categorically stating that the Colva police station building is not at all safe to carry out the functioning of police administration.
Four years down the line, the ground reality has not changed for the better. Colva police continue to operate from an old and crammed residential house sans a lock up facility or spacious barracks for the men-in-uniform. Leave alone shifting the Colva police station premise to a spacious building, there's no sign of any renovation of the premise.
While the Manohar Parrikar-led government is moving with great speed to set up the Fatorda police station as per the deadline set by the coalition partner, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, the Colva police station has indeed been craving for urgent attention over the years, with successive governments only paying lip service to its requirements.
The pathetic state of affairs of the Colva police station had come to fore on June 9, 2013 when the police station was rocked by violence over the alleged kidnapping of minor local girl. A Magisterial inquiry that probed the incident had come out with startling observations that the police station building is not at all safe to carry out the functions of police administration. Inquiry officer Sandhya Kamat had observed that the police station building is very old with big doors and windows without grills and had questioned the police department over the absence of a compound wall around the police station building.
Even four years after the inquiry report was submitted to the government, the administration has still not initiated steps to shift the Colva police station to a spacious premise. The police station passage and verandah is still being used as a makeshift office and to stock files. The police station premises have only 10 beds for male policemen and a small dingy room for lady police constable. Police officers have no resting room in place. In the absence of a lock-up facility, undertrials are lodged at the Margao police station.
The Magisterial inquiry had recommended upgradation of the Colva police station under the Coastal Security scheme being a coastal police station, but in vain. Police officials in the know said the department had set its eyes on a small piece of land admeasuring 2,500 belonging to the Tourism department, but the ground reality remains unchanged.
Incumbent Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao said he has raised the issue of Colva police station with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also holds the Home portfolio. "I have drawn the attention of the Chief Officer of the need to upgrade and building a new Colva police station. Parrikar has assured to look into the matter," Churchill said, adding that he would pursue the matter with the government.
