The Goa police in coordination with a team of Navi Mumbai Crime Branch were able to successfully nab the notorious criminal and wanted suspect Vikrant Deshmukh alias Vicky. Vicky, who came to Goa disguised as a tourist, was chased down by the police in Panaji with the help of information provided by Maharashtra police. He had made it to one of the casinos by the time he was caught, which means it’s a high time to expose those who come to Goa under the pretext of tourism.
It has come to light that even an infamous terrorist such as Yasin Bhatkal had stayed in the State for a while. Goa has been a safe haven for numerous other criminals, domestic and international alike, to take a refuge here. However, it is surprising that no one knew about their presence in the state until they were arrested.
This indicates police personnel’s failure in weaving a strong web of informers. The police forces from metropolitan cities rely heavily on their informers for the leads of the crimes. More often than not, the confrontations between police and sharpshooters that take place happen on the basis of these leads.
It is understood that Goa police struggle to find the information due to lack of spies or the lack of funds to recruit skilled informers. However, that does not conform to the actual state of reality. The police forces possess a fund called Secret Service Expenditure (SSE) and the responsibility to utilise it effectively relies in the hands of the station head. This determines how strong or weak is the source of the information as that hugely influences the further investigation.
It is convenient to rely on informers especially on the backdrop of the fast changing face of the society in a state such as Goa which always receives a throng of tourists. A competent secret agent would come in handy to spot an accused in such a crowd or to obtain leads of criminal incidents taking place at tourist sites.
An amicable relationship between police officials and the locals from the area is a prerequisite for citizens to come forward with information. This will only make police’s work far easier. Numerous accused with charge sheets on them are released as innocent due to lack of strong proof. If the locals and police maintain cordial relationships then people will not hesitate to stand as witnesses.
On the contrary, if the public acts only as an audience then the police will not be able to progress with the investigation either. A Singapore-inspired ‘Neighbourhood Police’ policy was adopted by Goa police not too long ago but there has been no word on that ever since. The senior police officials must contemplate as to why common men hold back from approaching police with the information. Police must also refrain from viewing everyone who enters the police station with suspicious eyes which might be a good starting point to solve many problems.
The officials need to abandon the behaviour of intimidating the primary source of information by unleashing one too many questions right away. Only then, will the local public become the ears, nose and eyes of the police. The officials must also acknowledge that the traditional way of investigating has long gone. Due to some reasons the statement made during the police enquiry by the accused is not considered admissible in the court.
The court takes witnesses and well-formulated proofs more seriously and hence, the concept of arresting the accused right after filing the complaint is now ageing. If police focus more on collecting the proof then it will strengthen the case in court. When an accused is rightfully punished it sends out a message to the general public which will help to reduce the crime rate.
