Team Herald
PONDA: With the deadline for tenant verification ending on October 10, there has been a massive rush of house owners and tenants at Ponda Police Station, as people scramble to submit their forms. The verification process, which requires details of both tenants and house owners, including Aadhaar cards and four photographs of the tenants, has seen long queues stretching late into the evening, as residents hurry to comply with the government mandate.
In response to growing concerns over crime, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently announced fines of up to Rs 10,000 for house owners who fail to complete tenant verification by the deadline. The fear of fines appears to have driven a significant number of people to the police station in recent days, marking the first time that such a large-scale response has been seen for tenant verification. The government had previously urged home owners to comply with the verification process for years, but it is only now, with the threat of penalties, that many have taken action.
The surge in turnout comes after the Chief Minister stressed the importance of tenant verification during a meeting with police officials, citing concerns over national security and rising crimes, particularly in areas with high migrant populations. The verification process is aimed at reducing crime by ensuring that all tenants are registered with the police, particularly those in slums and scrap yards where criminal elements are suspected to reside.
However, locals and social workers are calling for an extension of the October 10 deadline. Many who have been waiting in long queues have urged the government to provide an additional two weeks to complete the process and avoid fines.
Social worker Sandeep Parkar voiced concerns about certain areas, such as slums and scrap yards, where many residents may be avoiding the tenant verification process altogether. He urged the police to personally visit these areas, noting that many houses lack proper addresses, and residents with criminal backgrounds may be avoiding the police station.
3 Ugandan women arrested by Anjuna police for overstaying
PANJIM: Anjuna police have arrested three Ugandan nationals for allegedly staying in India without valid travel documents.
According to police, the accused have been identified as Nakawoya Shanita (32), Aminah Nakayiza (28) and Nassaka Sumayiya (22).
The arrests were made after authorities found that the women had been residing illegally in Goa without valid travel documents. The police however failed to book the owners of houses where the accused resided as guests.
The Anjuna Police have booked the accused for contravening the provision of Foreigner Order 1948 and Foreigners Act 1946. Further investigation is in progress, police said. However, what is shocking is that the police have failed to book the owner of the house where the accused were staying as guests.