EDITORIAL
For efficiency, politicians in Goa should stay away from influencing police
Earlier this week, a senior police officer from the Goa police department, superintendent of police Sunita Sawant was transferred to the police headquarters apparently in a haphazard manner. There was no official transfer order from the government but the police department directed her to vacate the SP office, South Goa, where she was posted in February 2024. Barely 11 months as SP South Goa but there are no specific reasons for her transfer. According to the public, it is obvious that those in power were probably unhappy with her performance over some issue(s) while the Opposition called it politically motivated as the officer was said to be after a right-wing outfit seeking details of their leaders. This has nothing to do with the incoming SP – IPS officer Tikam Singh Verma, who has been holding the charge of SP ANC. Under Verma, the ANC has done well and has caught a variety of drugs (some new ones). Incidentally, two days before her transfer, Sawant was honoured at the hands of the Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai for her efficiency.
Angered over the SP’s sudden transfer, president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Amit Patkar had said that “this clearly shows that the BJP is not interested in governance but in shielding its ideological allies and suppressing officers who perform their duty with integrity”. Patkar had said the Goa police force is being manipulated to serve the BJP’s political interests instead of upholding the law.
All know that police transfers especially of officers such as PSI, PI, DySPs and SPs are apparently governed by those in power. Not sure if the Goa police department has any say or are even consulted when politicians decide to transfer any officer. It is a well known fact that every politician in power wants an officer (police station in-charges) or a sub divisional police officer (SDPOs) of their choice. Even the officer concerned is transferred immediately depending on the whims and fancies of those in power.
There should be zero interference of politicians in policing but this does not happen, and probably will not happen in the near future. Everyone has some expectation and all wants a ‘piece of the pie’. They want to use the police machinery against their opponents and protect their supporters.
Very often we hear the politicians say the police are given a freehand. But in reality things are quite different on the ground. The police officers will be able to tell how many times they enjoy independent powers to investigate and act against illegalities. No doubt, there are rotten apples in the uniformed force. We are not defending all the police actions but at times, they (police) do well. It is sad but true; the police are always under pressure from politicians in power. Interference in the police department is one of the reasons why some youth who believe in certain principles are reluctant to join the police force.
Police transfers are crucial in policing. However, some misuse it for self gain. Few months back Chief Minister Pramod Sawant rightly said the government had decided to transfer police inspectors and police sub-inspectors who have been working at one police station for three years. Also, deputy superintendents of police and constables will also be transferred.
For the corrosion in the police department, ruling politicians, irrespective of which party is in power, are a big factor. If it is correcting the wrong, it’s fine. But when will they get a chance to perform independently and prove their mettle?
