Sometimes the easiest solution is also the most difficult. The people of Goa should forget about dissipating their energy in all directions like the drugs problem, the corruption problem, the traffic problem, the outsider problem, the mining problem, the beaches problem, the political interference problem, the robbery problem, the gambling problem, the prostitution problem, the goonda problem right upto the word problem itself.
Everthing can be traced to an ineffective, spineless and underpaid police force. Push, agitate, don't rest until just two related things are achieved. A) the police are well-paid (Goa can afford it if it can afford many of the current idiotic benefits that are thrown much like confetti). This may not totally eliminate bribery but it will be controllable and thus punishable. B) Remove political control and put it under civilian, totally non-political Police Board oversight like the rest of the world does. Board staffed with publicly respected people from different walks of life. Since the CM, Home Minister or any other minister will have zilch to do with the police, any orders from them in the interest of the state or of governance should go through the board and in writing subject therefore to RTI. Appointments, promotions, transfers all done by the PD itself, higher levels reviewed by the board. Robbing sand? Culprits arrested and charged. Mineowners flouting the law? Ditto. Vagrants sleeping on public property? Keep a large police marine rubber dinghy and send them for a night's rough sleep in a group with duty police onboard. Ditto for polluting and lawbreaking casino operators. Home Ministers and sons found dabbling in drugs? Sodium Penthotal (truth serum) aka narco tests like for serious criminal and terrorists in India. Nigerians on the rampage? Just clamp down on the drug trades both local and foreigners. By the way all that wouldn't have happened at all if everybody trusted the police. As an interviewed Nigerian said it, his people suspected police would plant drugs on the murder victim. A not unfounded expectation given the history of the Goa Police in such matters. All democratic and lawful methods within existing powers implemented without fear or favor for public, politicians and police alike. Of course I may be accused of smoking sonething strong to expect such a solution to be implemented (which minister with his chamchas want to leave office in the same financial situation as they entered it or which Goan voter is bothered enough to actually want to do this) but if one has equally or more effective solutions please make it known. Roland. Sent from Samsung Mobile
