PANAJI
The role of the police in ensuring safety along the beach belt has come under intense scrutiny following a string of violent incidents and rising illegal activities. Sources revealed to 'The Goan' that a lack of inter-department coordination between departments is evident and despite powers to crackdown on illegalities, failure to share information led to unchecked illegalities.
“When illegal activities are unchecked, these often lead to crimes,” sources in the police department said while referring to the two murders at Calangute and Arambol.
“Shacks operating past hours and the illegal extension of tables, chairs and deck beds have been often known but glaring lack of inter-agency communication, allowed these shack operators to continue flouting the shacks policy,” the official added, justifying police inaction against the violations.
Recent coordination meetings have nonetheless shown some progress but another issue is that police’s presence on the beaches remains insufficient. "Even when tables and chairs spill over onto the beach, police must step in to ensure free public movement, which is a basic right. So also the timing, music played, etc. We need more police force be it from the law and order section, tourist police or IRB to keep a check on each shack,” the source said.
'The Goan' tried contacting the North Goa police, who either remained unavailable for comment or tight-lipped on the issue.
In a recent meeting with shack owners from Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, and Keri, the Mandrem police issued a stern warning that they should not take matters into their own hands. “If there are any issues, contact the police," the police instructed.
The police also asked shack owners to comply with tourism department guidelines, particularly regarding the prohibition of obstructing public access to the beach and closure of shacks by 11 pm.
