Police seek information on Indonesians living in Goa
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 8
Indonesians living and working in Goa have come on police radar after Embassy’s letter against the city-based Spa of ‘ill-treating and cheating’ their nationals.
Police sources close to Herald informed that police higher-ups have asked police station in-charges and CID personnel to collect intelligence of Indonesians staying in respective jurisdictions.
“All police stations and CID centers are asked to gather details of Indonesian residents in Goa and so also, those who have arrived on tourist visa,” said the source.
Investigating agency – Crime Branch (CB) is probing into a letter by Indonesian Embassy to the Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi on December 3 alleging that a Spa owner has withheld passports of 11 Indonesian girls forcing them to continue work here.
The victim-girls who worked as Spa therapists in Goa and Mumbai managed to escape and complained to the Embassy about the harassment they faced.
CB officials have already written back to Indonesian Embassy in Mumbai seeking permission to record statements of the Indonesian girls. All are presently in the safe custody of the Embassy. As a part of the probe, Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) recently submitted a report to the CB on the details of the number of Indonesians registered with the FRO.
FRO Superintendent of Police Tony Fernandes confirmed that they have submitted a report to the CB, last week. “The CB had asked us to furnish details of Indonesians registered with the FRO. We have already replied to them,” he said refusing to divulge details.
Interestingly, names of Indonesian girls who complained of illegal detention and being brought to Goa on forged documents, are figuring in the FRO list. They reportedly resided at a plush colony in Miramar.
However, whether they were brought legally or illegally is being probed. The list further states that 21 of the 32 registered Indonesians have revealed their place of stay at Miramar.
Whereas the remaining reside in Panjim, Pilerne, Cansaulim, Ponda, Vasco, Sanguem, Curchorem, Aldona and Verem.
Out of total Indonesians on long-term visa, 24 are holding Employment visa, three are on Entry visa and two each on PIO card and Tourist.
However, an Indonesian who holds ‘others visa’ has given its place of stay at ‘INS Vikrant Block Gomantak Vaddem Vasco Da Gama’, which is one of the sensitive installations.
An officer, wishing anonymity stated that after gathering details, Indonesian citizens will be questioned whether they also face any problem in Goa. There are however several Indonesians who have arrived Goa on tourist visa.
“It is a tedious task to gather details of Indonesian tourists. But our officials are on the job and the Airport immigration is also asked to intimate us on any Indonesian visits,” he said.
It is furthermore learnt that Mumbai FRO have asked its counterparts for details of the Indonesian girls who alleged illegal detention and that they were brought on forged documents and bogus appointment letters.
These girls had said that Goa FRO issued their residential permits although they have never visited Goa.
The CB is meanwhile mum over the probe and action against the Spa owner. The parlour which is come under scanner has its chain of outlets in Panjim, Calangute and Mumbai wherein other set of Indonesian girls are also employed.
Police spokesperson Superintendent of Police (CID/Special Branch) Atmaram Deshpande and CB officers abstained from answering repeated phone calls from Herald.
