23 Aug 2023  |   07:31pm IST

For over a year many Goa cops simply refused to leave their postings to join their new ones

IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi had to issue a warning order to transferred cops to join their new posting in a matter of hours on Aug 2; cops confided that many postings become comfort zones; IGP refused to comment on why cops stayed put despite getting transferred

PRATIK PARAB

PANJIM: The Inspector General of Police of Goa, Omvir Singh Bishnoi, was compelled to pass a very unusual order. He directed all policemen, especially of the rank of constables and police sub-inspectors (PSIs) who have been transferred, many of them over a year ago, to move to their new postings immediately.

An exasperated IGP was forced to issue the order when he learnt that the bulk of the cops transferred simply stayed put at their stations, ignoring their transfer orders. The order issued on the morning of August 2, asked all transferred officers to move to their new postings by noon the same day (in a matter of hours). The order came with a warning that if they are not relieved by the SP concerned they would have to report directly to the IGP at 4 pm the following day, August 3.

The message flashed to all SPs by the PI SPCR read: “As directed by Respected IGP/ Goa kindly relieve all officers and staff under your control who stands transferred till date, immediately to their respective place of the posting by 12.00 hrs. The compliance report may be sent directly to IGP Goa/ DIGP HQ under intimation to SPCR Panjim. If transferred staff is not relieved by the concerned SP, they would have to report to IGP/Goa in his chamber on 03.08.23 at 16.00 hrs sharp without fail.”

Sources in the Goa Police have informed that several police stations did not relieve Police Sub Inspectors and Constable rank staff who are hundreds in number for various reasons. 

Consequent to IGP’s direction most of the staff was relieved. When O Heraldo contacted IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi, he said, “Most of the staff has been relieved to their transfer postings.” When asked about the reason for the defiance and why the need for an IGP rank officer to intervene, he chose not to comment. However, those in charge of some police stations anonymously revealed that relieving staff for them means major staff shortage as they do not get back replacement staff soon. “Some were not relieved after they kept requesting for their current posting as they are close to home.” 

That begs the question: Is there a chain of poor man management where transferred cops cannot be relieved, or does the real reason lie in them simply not wanting to move out of very comfortable and “rewarding” postings along with “powerful” blessings?

Some sources also revealed that transfers meant severing of the “special” tie-ups police have in their jurisdiction, which according to a former cop makes up for 50 per cent of the reason not to move away.