FREDDY FERNANDES
freddy@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa Government has launched an aggressive drive to register tenant verification on a continuous basis over the last 10 days. The drive has been extended by 5 days. The question, that arises with this drive is will it be a deterrent for those who come to Goa for few days or months, commit crimes and scoot from the State?
What does civil society think of the tenant verification drive?
Criminal Lawyer Adv Caroline Collasso said, “It is some amount of protection. Earlier there are cases where tenants have committed crimes and escaped. When the police ask the owners, they did not have any details of the tenants. It is good for the owners and also good for crime detection. It may not solve all crime, but it is some kind of a mitigating factor.”
“Getting police verification from their state when they come looking for a job may not be Constitutionally possible. Why would you go to a state looking for a job if this is asked for. If Goans go for a job to Hyderabad, will you ask us to take a police verification? It won’t work,” Collasso opined.
Political Commentator Trajano D’Mello said no crime can be stopped totally. “We must appreciate the Chief Minister and the government for Tenant verification. The reason is crimes will be easily detectable and traceable. My information tells me that the tenant verification form submitted at the local police station in Goa, one copy goes to the home state of the migrant. The police in that state check the details and even if they have committed petty crimes, that information will be passed on to the Goa police,” D’Mello said.
Special drive launched against foreigners staying illegally: SP
Team Herald
PANJIM: North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshat Kaushal on Friday said that a special drive has been launched in the coastal areas of district against foreigners staying illegally and as many as 7-8 persons have been arrested during the last three days.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “We were getting information that some people were staying illegally and we launched a special drive in the coastal areas in North Goa. For the last three days, almost daily FIRs have been registered at Mapusa, Mandrem and Anjuna police stations.”
“Regularly we are taking action against any foreigner who stays illegally. We continuously monitor data of foreigners and whenever we receive information that they are residing without valid travel documents then we make an effort to get hold of them and take necessary legal action,” Kaushal said.
He said if the owner has not done proper tenant verification then a report is sent to the Deputy Collector to initiate action against the concerned owner.
It may be noted that Anjuna police had arrested three Ugandan nationals for allegedly staying in India without valid travel documents on October 9.
However, shockingly the police failed to book the owner of the house where the accused were staying as guests. Next day, the Mandrem police booked three foreign nationals for staying illegally in India without proper documents.
Tenant verification crucial to track, create database of floating population: Police
Team Herald
MARGAO: The Salcete police have ramped up their tenant verification drive, with a large number of tenants visiting police stations in areas like Cuncolim, Colva, and Fatorda on Thursday to register their forms.
A police inspector, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the verification exercise is being actively conducted across the Salcete region. The aim is to create a comprehensive database of tenants residing in South Goa, which will help enhance security, prevent crime, and maintain law and order.
This intensified drive follows directives from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The verification process is deemed crucial for tracking the district's floating population and ensuring public safety. The inspector mentioned that four more days have been given to complete the task.
Due to some landlords failing to provide tenant information, the police have reached out to labour contractors, property owners, and local panchayats, urging them to submit details of their tenants for verification.
The police are also compiling a database of migrant labourers and have instructed hotel and lodge management in South Goa to retain copies of guest identification documents even after guests have left.