-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: The Utkarsha Parab kidnapping case generated much heat in the Goa assembly with opposition leader Manohar Parrikar demanding the immediate suspension of Valpoi PI Shivram Vaigankar and PSI Terence Vaz for negligence of duty.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Parrikar said it was irresponsible on the part of the police officials to treat the serious case of kidnapping casually. Criticizing the police, he said the PI and PSI should have arrested the culprit who was responsible for kidnapping Utkarsha from the higher secondary school. He also said that they delayed investigations into the case and asked for some documents regarding age of the girl, etc. Demanding action from the government, Parrikar, to drive home his point, alleged that it was the PI's name figured in an illegal mining case last year. As regards the PSI, he said there was a complaint from some councillors that he had threatened someone with an encounter. The opposition leader said if the government doesn't suspend the duo, a wrong message will be circulated to other officers who may also be in the habit of taking serious matters casually, thereby allowing no justice for the common man. Parrikar also said that there can be no justification for statements of the police officers claiming any political interference as it was the duty of the former to act as per law and. "If required, they should have also explained the gravity of the case to the concerned politician," he added. Chief minister Digamber Kamat, in his reply (on behalf of home minister Ravi Naik who is recuperating from a health condition in Mumbai) said that the complaint was registered and that three persons had been arrested by the police on July 23. He further said that he has asked the DIG "to personally look into the matter" and that "if there the slightest negligence is observed, action will be taken". Strongly objecting to this, Parrikar said the reply was not acceptable as the least the government should have done was to transfer the errant police officers pending inquiry. "This shows how insensitive the government is in tackling such crimes," Parrikar charged while pointing out that the PI himself will submit a report of what has happened. The arrests were made more than a week after the incident was reported, the opposition leader added. To this, the chief minsiter said, "We'll ask for an independent inquiry," indicating that the government was not in favour of transferring the police officers. Speaker Pratapsingh Rane also said the girl had brought to the notice of the police that she had been kidnapped, but no prompt action had been taken by the officials. As the opposition raised the tempo on the issue, accusing the government of protecting the officers, the chief minister agreed to tranfer them. "I'll see that they are shifted," Kamat told the assembly. Meanwhile, Vaigankar and Vaz were transferred to the police headquarters, here Monday evening, police sources said. Vaigankar was PI in-charge of the Valpoi police station and was also holding charge of the Bicholim police station. (ToI) * * * UK STOCKS EXHAUSTED! After a community-supported launch at Croydon, Selma Carvalho's *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* is available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. Ask a friend to pick up a copy. Details of the book http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ * * *
