There is a crying need for revamping of the Goa police force into a powerful, unfettered, lawful police service
Let’s begin 2025 frankly recognizing facts: “If you have a gun and I have a gun let’s talk about the law, both come empty handed we can talk reason. But if you have a gun and I have a knife, truth is in your hands. However if you have a gun and I have nothing, you hold my life in your hands! Laws, rules and morality can only function where there is equality! The harsh truth is when money speaks, truth is silent and when power speaks even money takes three steps back. Those who make the laws and rules are the first to break them for they are chains for the weak and tools for the strong! In this world anything good must be fought for. The masters of the game are fiercely fighting for resources whilst the weak sit idly waiting for their share”. Quote from The Godfather. Please let also us fix these ground realities as they apply to us?
In 1947, we firmly decided not to go the Pakistan way and opted to strive for unity in our myriad diversity! In all the chaos, violence and turmoil, after thoroughly discussing the matter in Parliament, India emerged as a country for everyone.
We opted for a secular democracy and accordingly gave ourselves a Constitution to achieve that aim of equality but as is very evident today, unable to achieve mainly due lack of competent autonomous strictly law abiding policing.
We find police is generally the handmaiden of the party in power whose investigations and reports may be unprofessional and can prejudice the judges who have to basically to rely on them. The courts and police are overburdened with urgent political cases. Gross violation of conduct fails to evoke any worthwhile response unless someone complains.
Preventative force (sub head)
Law and order machinery in a good democracy needs always to be preventative and held in high esteem with public trust but today police generally discriminate between how they treat the common people and the politicians, the rich and powerful, very evident with police officers subservient, seen touching their feet or ensuring VIP treatment even in jail.
People have gone to jail, suffering due to wrong judgments proved later because of police faulty investigation. FIRs are not properly recorded or avoided, statements allegedly doctored and victims terrorized, police brutality, fake encounters and custodial deaths reported.
The Supreme Court in 2006 issued six directives for the States and one for the Centre. The courts main thrust was better security for the people, minimizing political influence and interference, ensuring human rights, operational autonomy and enforcement of rule of law under all circumstances.
Despite this landmark judgment, and all the many previous Commissions/reports, all political classes with the help of bureaucrats and vested interests have managed to firmly keep police under their control.
Draft Goa Police Bill (subhead)
The draft Goa Police Bill was introduced in the Assembly in 2000 after suggestions from the public. In 2009 it was sent to a Select Committee, delayed and it finally lapsed! After many failed attempts the government decided to introduce the Bill in 2016 but wisely backed out due to citizens demanding public consultation before finalisation.
The Police have now submitted to government draft Goa Police Act 2024 based on the Model Police Act sent by the central Ministry of Home Affairs. There has been no local citizen consultation or Assembly discussion on this draft.
The autonomy, integrity of the police and public trust has mostly disappeared! Lawful policing must be permitted only by state police and absolutely all other political fringe groups, vigilantes, or NGOs must not get state patronage so as to be lawfully slapped down by police.
The excuse of banning an authorised event under the guise of “to prevent law and order situation” only shows the incompetence of police or political interference. The escape of Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, key accused in Goa land grab case from lockup, released and even driven to freedom by the duty constable displays laxity gone too far and calls for vital reforms now.
There is a crying need for revamping of the Goa police force into a powerful, unfettered, lawful police service.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken of SMART police (sensitive, mobile, accountable, responsible and techno-savvy). Policing is a state subject and our Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his previous budget speech has promised to pass our Police Bill, reportedly a promise he is keen to fulfill.
Like the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat daring to openly advise the Hindutva hardliners not to rake up Ram temple like issues anymore for the nation to live in harmony, citizens expect our CM in public interest to boldly and urgently initiate and carry forward transparent and serious Goa centric amendments to the Goa Police Bill and in line with the Supreme Court directives to ensure equitable justice, law and order maintenance and crime prevention for a world class exemplary and citizen respected Goa professional police service.
