TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: After displaying initial enthusiasm in registering cases, the Goa police are now veering to the view that the Central government is the authority to ascertain the citizenship status of a citizen.
Armed with the opinion of the Director of Prosecution that the Citizenship Act clearly says that the Central government is the right authority to find out whether a person is an Indian citizen or not, the police appears to be in no haste to register FIRs against Churchill Alemao and his family members on the complaints lodged by Elvis Gomes, the Personal Assistant to Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva.
Margao Sub-divisional Police officer, DySP Mohan Naik said the police are scrutinising the documents submitted by Gomes, while saying that the Citizenship Act empowers the Central government to determine the citizenship of any individual.
Colva police station in-charge, PI Uttam Raut Desai echoed similar sentiments, saying the Director of Prosecution in its opinion submitted to the CID, Crime Branch was categorical in saying that the Central government is the authority to take a call on the issue of citizenship.
The latest police stand assumes significance given that the Colva and Margao police were quick to register FIRs against Majorda sarpanch Moises Vaz and Margao Municipal Councillor Rosy Pereira respectively last month.
Elvis Gomes, however, said that he would knock the doors of the Judiciary if the Colva police do not register the FIRs against Churchill and his family by Monday. “I am moving the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class if the police fail to register the FIR,” he said.
PI Uttam Raut Desai said the Director of Prosecution in its opinion submitted to the CID, Crime Branch was categorical in saying that the Central government is the authority to take a call on the issue of citizenship
