TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The primary role of the Coastal police is to maintain security off the Goa coast 24×7.
To achieve the ends, the Betul Coastal security police station stands equipped with three interceptor boats, besides 17 personnel to maintain security operations.
That the infrastructure proved a failure became evident when agitated boat owners approached the Coastal police for assistance. Of the three interceptor boats, only two boats were found in running condition, while the third interceptor was down with battery failure.
It’s about a fortnight since the interceptor boat had to contend with a battery snag, But the battery replacement is yet to come from the police headquarters. Herald inquiries revealed that the Betul Coastal police station had made a requisition for replacement of the batteries 15 days ago, and are awaiting for a fresh consignment of batteries.
That’s not all. The Betul Coastal police which has a jurisdiction extending from coastal Salcete, right from Benaulim to the Canacona coast, has a manpower of only 18 personnel, besides a Police Inspector. Sources said the manpower falls short of the requirements in the event all the three interceptor boats are pressed into service for patrolling of the coast.
