PORVORIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday sent a clear signal to police officials warning to take strict action against cops who are found indulging in drinking alcohol, child abuse, sexual act and drugs while on or off duty.
Admitting that three police personnel were caught with beer bottles in their patrol car while on duty, Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly that “such act will not be tolerated”. He, however, clarified that the officials, were not drunk, when they were caught by the locals.
“I fully agree with the fact that the law makers and protectors cannot break the law and I am not going to tolerate such things by police,” Parrikar said in the House. “Child abuse, drugs, sex, drinking and careless attitude, are five things which I am not going to tolerate,” he stated.
The Chief Minister was speaking during the Zero Hour motion raised by Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar, who demanded that strict action be initiated against those police officers who were caught drinking while on duty. He even said that steps should be taken to ensure such things are not repeated in future.
Informing the House about the incident reported in Margao, Parrikar clarified that the police personnel were not drunk on duty. “We did their blood test. No alcohol was found in their blood,” he said. “But yes, there were beer bottles found. And this itself is a punishable offence,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government will not tolerate policemen drinking on duty.
“Police cannot do this and if someone is caught drinking on duty I will crack down hard on them. They were lucky that there was no liquor in their blood. If they want to drink beer, they can take leave and drink,” he said.
