Goa: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) comprising of A.D.Salkar and J.A. Keny has asked the Goa Government to conduct inspections of all the police stations in the State to ascertain the shortcomings and to take appropriate steps to improve the working conditions of the police personnel at the police stations and more particularly the Women police.
Taking cognizance of the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, the GHRC had directed its officials to inspect and verify the factual working and living conditions of the cops at the Old Goa Police Station in North Goa and Colva Police Station in South Goa.
A three member team headed by GHRC Secretary Margaret Fernandes, Under Secretary Shashikant Bhamaikar and Police Inspector Manoj Mardolkar attached to the Investigation Cell of the GHRC on 26th May inspected the Old Goa and Colva Police Stations and submitted a detailed 11 page report along with photographs and video footage highlighting the pathetic working conditions at both the police stations.
Stating that it was not practicable for it to inspect every police station, the GHRC in its inquiry report has observed that the working conditions of the police personnel at Old Goa and Colva police stations was not satisfactory and required drastic improvements.
Pointing out that most policemen get a break only after many days of work, Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his complaint to the GHRC in September last year had stated that this has been taking a toll on their personal lives with a spate of incidents that has exposed the stress related fragility affecting the police force.
Demanding that alike all other government employees the police should also get an eight hour shift which will infact increase their efficiency, Adv. Rodrigues in his complaint further stated that on account of the long hours of work related stress, a lot of the policemen were grappling with serious health problems like hypertension, diabetes and depression as the working and living conditions of the police at almost all the police stations and barracks was very inhuman.
Stating that the Government cannot be allowed to be a cause for ruining the health and lives of the policemen by making them work long hours, Adv. Rodrigues has lamented that the authorities seem to have lost sight that a policemen too have a personal life.
Seeking that the genuine grievances and pathetic working conditions confronting the police force be looked into by the Government in right earnest, Adv. Rodrigues sought that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police be directed to explain as to how they have been mere spectators to this grave and gross Human Rights violations of the Policemen in the State.
Team TNV
