Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa police has denied negligence at border checkposts asserting that strict checking is maintained by the police and local authorities, who are supported by vigilant locals.
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A press release by Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh advises people not to create panic and an environment of fear in the State. “Certain media reports indicate that people are coming to Goa from checkposts. It is clarified that as per guidelines of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) goods vehicle bringing essential items and other goods have been permitted two drivers and a cleaner,” he said on Friday.
“Vehicles are thoroughly checked by the police and permission to enter is accorded by an Executive Magistrate posted at every checkpost of the State. These drivers and cleaners are thereafter checked by Health staff posted at the checkposts. Anyone showing any symptoms is not permitted by the Executive Magistrate,” the IGP added.
In view of allegations over lack of proper check at the borders, Goa Police has requested people to first study the safeguards employed at these checkposts while permitting vehicles before reacting. The IGP further advised citizens to first contact local police and don’t adopt vigilante methods. “This can spoil the peaceful environment of the State and also diverts the attention of police from the essential task of ensuring effective lockdown,” he added.
In addition a slew of measures have been taken to strengthen the border checkposts. Apart from Goa Police, the incident commanders appointed by State Executive Committee and senior secretaries to the State who are observers also visit the check posts and other vulnerable points of entry. To keep a tab on permitted individuals who enter through check posts on goods vehicles Department of Information Technology has developed a Digital Application to ensure that they return along with the vehicles. This app facilitates to keep a check on such drivers/ cleaners if they do not return back.
Goa Police has also been educating villagers along the borders to remain vigilant and report to police any attempt by any person to enter from unauthorized points. DIG Crime and Range Parmaditya has been directed to ensure that staff at checkposts remains vigilant and their needs are taken care of.
The Special Branch and Local Intelligence Branch (LIB) staff has also been activated to detect any case of illegal entry as inter- state border are long, mountainous and forested and every inch of territory cannot be manned.
“The CM has also declared that any case of illegal entry would have to undergo a paid quarantine. It would be a deterrent against illegal attempts. Significantly, staff has been briefed that local Goans who are stranded outside and all authorized channels of entry being blocked, would continue to make attempts to enter the state. Pertinently, all border across the world – whether international or interstate are porous and people do make attempts to hoodwink the authorities,” Singh said.
