Body-worn cameras needed for all police
The Goa traffic cell has reportedly procured 75 body-worn cameras (BWCs) and have been distributed among 16 traffic cells in the state in order to bring accountability and transparency to police work. These compact devices are designed to capture audio and video recordings during interactions between the officers and the public, especially errant motorists caught violating traffic rules.
This lightweight device features night vision capability and will serve as a deterrent against unruly behaviour and also safeguard the interests of both of the officers and citizens by providing an unbiased account of interactions. They will also dispel allegations against traffic police by vehicular drivers, especially the traffic violators. However, these devices need to be provided to all police personnel and not just the traffic cops. Body camera recordings serve as valuable evidence in criminal cases. The captured footage provides an objective record of events that can be used to verify witnesses and provide testimony in order to ensure the accuracy of any report.
Guidelines and policies state that a police officer must activate their camera in specific conditions like a traffic stop and public interaction so that privacy of the public is not infringed. A camera also stops the police from using their power unjustly and as a deterrent for alleged acts of accepting bribes.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Safety concerns of old buildings
Recently, in a harrowing incident, a portion of ceiling of the building in department of social welfare office at Panaji seems to be that government has not learnt any lessons from previous instance like Kala Academy and UHC wall collapsing.
The building of Portuguese era is crumbling. There are many buildings in Goa which are crumbling and despite repeated warnings, authorities have failed to initiate necessary repairs to the buildings.
The dilapidated government buildings in Goa are at the mercy of apathy. Some of the old buildings have structural issues, with plaster, water leakages during monsoon and column cracks, raising serious concerns about the safety of its occupants and visitors.
There are also several other government departments presently functioningh in such premises, which are deteriorating fast. Many of these offices are located in the towering Junta House building along the 18th June Road.
This six-floor building, which was constructed more than five decades ago, is today in shambles. Its walls, steps, lifts, washrooms, everything is in mess. Number of government departments from the Directorate of official language to Goa Khadi and Village Industries Board, and department of civil supplies and consumer affairs to Department of Transport are located here. This also shows that the lackadaisical attitude of the government machinery in addressing the issue that is directly connected with the safety and welfare of citizens.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Goa in the news for wrong reasons
These days, Goa is very much in the news, perhaps, for the wrong reasons, both in print as well as in social media exposing the loot and plunder of the politicians in power.
Be the smart city works, the PWD inefficiency in providing good durable roads or the Kala Academy upgradation, all speak the same language: crores of funding have gone waste in loot and plunder. There are floods everywhere, fields have inundated, roads have caved in and are full of potholes making traveling inconvenient, retaining walls have collapsed and life of Goenkars has become miserable. In ancestral days, we have not seen such misery and never heard of floods or fields being affected but life of the Goans was comfortable and easy going.
It used to rain heavily for days together and the rain water used to flow easily through the drainages well planned and designed by our forefathers using common sense and precision, not engineering. And when it rained incessantly, one would say: it rains cats and dogs. Comparatively, what rain we experience in present time is just minimum fall, if one can say, but in ancestral days if it rained continually, one would say: it rains cats and dogs while in present time only the dogs rain and the cats have gone to rest into the pockets of the ministers.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Fr Stan Swamy will be remembered forever
Fr Stan Swamy breathed his last after being repeatedly denied bail. He had finally got his freedom after being unjustly imprisoned for around 9 months in Taloja jail. He has now gone into a land where no bail is required — into the hands of a loving father. But a question comes to mind: When did Fr. Stan Swamy die? Did he die on July 5, 2021? No, Fr. Stan Swamy died on the day he was wrongly implicated in the Bhima-Koregaon case in which he was not connected at all. He died on the day he was wrongly imprisoned. He died on the day he was denied a sipper which he needed desperately on account of his physical condition.
To honour the memory of Fr Stan Swamy, and to keep alive his legacy, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) must institute an annual award to be given to one or more activists working for social justice. This award must not be restricted to Christians only but open to people of all faiths. The award should carry a substantial sum of money as many of the activists are facing triumphed up charges but lack the financial resources to retain competent lawyers.
The award will help boost the morale of social activists who at present feel that they are alone in fighting the injustices being meted out to the marginalised. It will also show that we are not cowards and support actions that are just and righteous.
Yes, Fr. Stan Swamy is a martyr and a saint! Many people pray to him today!
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
