Patrolling intensified at Polem border
TEAM HERALD
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CANACONA: Taking serious note of intelligence inputs regarding possible infiltration by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Canacona Police has tightened surveillance in the coastal areas and has re-energized patrolling at entry point at Polem border.
But while patrolling has been intensified at the Polem border, the indifferent attitude by law authorities to maintain the equipment installed for security measures could dilute efforts to beef up security at the southernmost border of the State.
When contacted, Canacona PI Harischandra Madkaikar told Herald that “six policemen deputed round-the-clock at the entry point at Polem check post have been asked to be extra vigilant following an infiltration threat at the western coast.”
“While re-energizing the local informers along the coastal belt of the taluka, police beat groups are also keeping an eye on strategic locations in the taluka. The coastal police too have been assigned in sensitizing the coastal locations so that nothing is left to chance,” added PI Madkaikar.
It is learnt that an ASI has been entrusted to head a team of six policemen and one hawaldar to guard the entry point at Polem border, while sleuths from the excise and forest departments as well as officials of the animal husbandry department and RTO are also keeping a round the clock watch on vehicles entering and leaving the check post.
As a second layer of protection, the entry toll plaza about 2 kms away from the Polem check post also has a police team guarding the highway. Incidentally, authorities are yet to make full use of the equipment installed for security measures at the Polem check post.
The CCTV cameras, which were installed at the check post following the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, have been virtually forgotten. Even though the CCTV cameras can be seen mounted till date, none of them are effectively working nor there are there any moves to get them in a working condition, sources told Herald.
Besides, locals had been left stunned in March 2010, when the police department had dismantled and removed the Portuguese-era gate, thereby providing unhindered access to all motorists.
According to sources, this was reportedly done at the behest of a senior police official at the time, after his relative was involved in a heated argument with policemen at the border post.
It was due to strong protests by locals that authorities finally re-erected the gate three months later in June 2010.
However, the gate is mostly left open and this allows vehicles easier access to enter or exit the check post. This is in strong contrast to the situation across the Karnataka border, where the gates are strictly implemented to prevent easy access to motorist at the Majali check post.
Canacona PI Harischandra Madkaikar told Herald that six policemen deputed round-the-clock at the entry point at Polem check post have been asked to be extra vigilant following an infiltration threat at the western coast
