MARGAO: Transfers of police sub-inspectors (PSI) – especially lady PSIs – serving in the Salcete taluka has not only put several police stations in a spot but has also inconvenienced members of the general public seeking timely redressal of their grievances.
The Fatorda police station, for instance, now has just one PSI on duty as many have received transfer orders while one other is on sick leave. Police sources said the sole PSI on duty had actually been transferred from Fatorda to the Margao town police station recently, but was requested to return to his original posting due to a dearth of PSIs at Fatorda, whose jurisdiction extends over several wards of the Margao Municipal Council.
To make matters worse, the Fatorda police station has no lady PSI, which makes it difficult to deal with cases of sexual abuse. For now, cases of rape and kidnapping that should have been dealt with by the Fatorda police station are forwarded for investigation to the women’s police station at Margao, despite it being one of the busiest branches in the state.
Margao, however, is not without its own staff shortage issues. One lady PSI was relieved a few days ago, leaving just one other lady PSI and three male PSIs to shoulder the exponential workload.
This severe dearth of lady PSIs has greatly affected resolution of cases pertaining to offences against women. At present, the entire taluka has just two lady PSIs – one at the Margao town police station and the Maina-Curtorim police station. Those at Cuncolim and Colva have received transfer orders and one has been relieved from her current charge.
Apart from the lady PSI who has been transferred at the Colva police station, another male PSI there has also received transfer orders, leaving just two others to handle cases. The situation is no better at the Cuncolim police station, whose jurisdiction extends over 11 village panchayats and one municipality, but which functions with just two PSIs, both of whom were recently promoted to the post. The three regular PSIs here, including one lady PSI, have been transferred but no personnel have been brought in to replace them yet. The lady PSI registered cases of sexual abuse, but with her transfer and the lack of a replacement, it is unlikely these cases will be investigated any time soon.
Similarly, most of the PSIs at the Maina-Curtorim police station have been transferred, leaving just two behind, including one lady PSI. Police sources said the process of relieving transferred PSIs of their current charges has begun.
