Team Herald
MARGAO: Goans For Dabolim Only, while acknowledging the callous and highhanded response of the government to the various protests going on in Goa, said that the role of the police also needs to be looked into as it reflects poor training as it is totally disproportionate reaction to the public.
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He said this was seen earlier last year during Liberation Day when police “hijacked” youngsters who had gathered to celebrate liberation day and later terrorised them by moving from one place to another without telling them where they were being taken and why.
“The recent incident of a Police Inspector trampling an elderly lady was obnoxious to say the least,” said Fr Eremito Rebel of Goa for Dabolim Only (GFDO) and wondered whether it “was due to lack of training in handling crowd or a reaction of an incompetent police officer who was inadequate to deal with the situation.”
While pointing out that the police have been prompt to file serious charges of attempt to murder against the villagers of Melauli, he wondered “what charges would the police file against the concerned Police Inspector Sagar Ekoskar as he stomping on her chest could have killed the frail old lady.”
He said the excessive force used by the police to terrorise people and intimidate them has caused anger amongst the people which is resulting in inflaming the already tense situation instead of defusing it.
While cautioning the government against using police force to intimidate and physically browbeat people, he suggested that Goa needs a professional police force and in order to do this he said the “Director General of Police should first initiate action against PI Sagar Ekoskar to build confidence amongst the people.”
