VASCO: In a shocking incident reported at the Vasco railway station, a drunken policeman created ruckus by allegedly assaulting and abusing the train passengers outside the station gate.
Head constable Srikant S Naik, who was in an inebriated state during duty hours, created panic among passengers as they were allegedly harassed by him. The cop was later suspended.
A migrant labourer, who was waiting for Amravati Express found himself at the receiving end, until some Vasco locals rushed to the site and intervened.
“We were shocked to hear that Naik, who was in a drunken state, was beating up every person sleeping or sitting outside the Vasco railway station thereby creating nuisance, informed Vasco-based activist Parshuram Shetye.
“When we questioned him as to why he was beating up an innocent migrant youth who were waiting for the train, he mumble and said that he was told by his superiors to book suspects everyday or else his salary would be cut.”
“My office is just opposite the railway station and we are sure that such menace is a regular feature at the railway station, as these cops come drunk on duty and then harass innocent people. I therefore decided to lodge a formal complaint with the police with the hope that they (police) would take serious cognizance of such incidents and act accordingly,” he added.
Incidentally, Shetye recorded the “drunken” policeman’s confession on his mobile phone in which the victim passenger claimed that he was sleeping outside the railway station when the policeman came and started kicking him and he even stepped on his legs.”
The policeman said that he was obeying the orders of his superiors as he has been asked to book one suspect everyday or else his salary would be cut, adding that such salary cuts have been reported in past.
“I was unaware of what was actually happening to me. He was repeatedly asking me some questions which I could not understand but for every delay he was just hitting me,” the victim told Herald.
After receiving the complaint, the police referred the drunken constable to the Chicalim Cottage Hospital for a medical examination, which tested positive. Hospital sources informed that the drunken cop even created a ruckus at the hospital with his arrogant behaviour due to which many patients who were fast asleep turned panicky.
Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudesai said “I have seen the video clip and we would initiate a departmental inquiry against the cop involved in such act at railway station”.
