PANJIM: The aggression of policemen involved in the latest incidents at Fatorda Stadium and Cuncolim has forced the department to revise a portion of the syllabus for police training, for the cops to handle adverse situations appropriately and within the law. The police brass has also decided to hold weekly training for the police force, particularly focusing on the ranks from constables to sub inspectors, on the subject crowd and public management.
“With these assault incidents (on Lester D’Sozua and Clint Rebello), I am compelled to feel that there is a gap in the present system of training imparted to the police during their training course. They (policemen) are losing their cool easily. They cannot retaliate unless there is a threat to their life and in the case of self defence,” Director General of Police Muktesh Chander told Herald, confirming having issued a fresh circular on designing a course in this regard.
Earlier this month, 20-year-old football fan Lester D’Souza was assaulted in the football stadium at Fatorda. The incident took place when Lester and his parents tried to click photographs of the players at the stadium, after the match between FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos concluded. Chander ordered a departmental enquiry for major penalty against PSIs Raunak Kadam and Dattaprasad Toraskar based on an enquiry report submitted by the Margao SDPO.
It was soon after this that the attack on another local, Rebello, surfaced. He was also assaulted by policemen in the midst of a crowd on Assolna road.
The two incidents have compelled the police brass to re-look into the training courses for the policemen. During the training period, every new recruit is taught on how to deal with the public which includes practical sessions but Goa Police seems to have taken it lightly.
The police chief said the department will hold weekly training programmes for the police force in this regard. “The personnel/officials will be trained on how to behave in different circumstances even in adverse situations and under provocation. They need to maintain their cool and act only as approved by the law. If any person is creating a ruckus, instead of retaliating, the concerned policeman should book a case under section 353 (deterring a public servant from discharging his duties) of Indian Penal Code, and other sections as per the law,” he commented.
