PANJIM: Five policemen, including a police sub inspector, will be suspended for allegedly assaulting seafarer Clint Rebello, a day after their aggression left the department red-faced. (Related report on Pg3)
Director General of Police Muktesh Chander said the suspension will be ordered based on a fact-finding inquiry by Deputy Inspector General of Police Paramaditya. The report was submitted to the DGP on Tuesday evening. “Their suspension is a strong message that the department will not tolerate indiscipline by its personnel. They will also face departmental action for major penalty. I will not even hesitate to dismiss them from the service,” Chander told Herald.
The police chief has also warned action would be taken for misconduct if any policeman tries to bring in political pressure. “If there is any political pressure, I will order another inquiry for misconduct,” he said.
Rebello was allegedly mercilessly beaten by PSI Mahesh Velip and four constables after a heated argument over traffic chaos, which was a result of the accident on Assolna road on Monday evening. An initial inquiry says that the local instigated, however, the policemen on duty should have kept their cool.
“There was an accident on the Assolna road involving three vehicles (not Rebello’s vehicle). The constables on duty, apprehending a law and order situation, called the PSI. When the PSI arrived, Clint stepped in and began abusing the police. This led to a heated argument between him and the policemen, and in retaliation, the PSI and the constables beat them up. We have taken this incident seriously and they are facing departmental inquiry,” Superintendent of Police (South) Arvind Gawas told Herald.
It is learnt that Rebello caught hold of the PSI’s collar. “Instead of helping the police handle a tense situation or clear the traffic, some added fuel to it. Nonetheless, the policemen on duty at Assolna should have tackled it in a proper way,” a senior officer said.
Gawas, when asked, sought public cooperation to defuse a tensed situation while he also echoed the DGP’s remark to not tolerate indiscipline in the force.
