Demand for another police station in coastal Pernem grows louder

MAPUSA: Tourism activities are on the rise in Pernemtaluka and the demand for setting up a separate police station along the coastal belt is growing louder, considering the present location of the police station and the vast area under its jurisdiction. The current police station is located in the town but in recent years the focus has shifted from the town to the coastal belt of the taluka.Situated approximately 40 minutes away (by car) from the 'happening' coastal belt that stretches from Morjim to Keri, it is getting difficult for the lawkeepers to maintain law and order in popular tourist spots such as Morjim, Ashvem and Arambol.
With a team comprising 54 police constables, one ASI, two PSIs and a PI, the police station has to man the state border gate at Patradevi, besides looking after the entire taluka. Now, with the added responsibility of manning the toll post at Dhargalim, which was commissioned after the implementation of the entry tax for the vehicles, the job just got tougher.
"Despite shortage of staff, six of our personnel have to be deployed at the toll post at Dhargalim," a police official said, while also adding that "the taluka has the two PCR vehicles and there is a need for one more vehicle".
The only police outpost in the taluka, which is at Arambol, is in a pathetic condition. The narrow lane, which is the only access to it from the main road, is full of potholes and encroaching bushes. Tourists who wish to register their complaints sometimes fail to locate it even after being directed by the locals. The rented premises in which it is based is cramped up for living space, where a single room is used as a kitchen and bunker.
"During the tourist season, we get twice the number of calls at the Arambol outpost than the Pernem police station, which means that a separate independent police station is required at a central location between Morjim to Keri," a police official told TOI.
Presently, a PSI, two head constables and five constables at the Arambol outpost guard the coastal stretch of the taluka. Senior police officials who worked at the Pernem police station in the recent past, admitted to TOI that it is very difficult to keep a watch on the world famous beaches of Pernem taluka, by operating from the town station.
The other problem faced by the cops is that the new building for the Pernem police station is still incomplete and the policemen are forced to function from two buildings meant for residential quarters, which are also in a bad state. Vishwas Harmalkar who allegedly committed suicide at Mayem in May was the government contractor in charge of the project, and ever since his death work has been stalled.
Sources inform that the police department had put forth a proposal for setting up of an independent police station at Mandrem, with a dedicated PI, but there has been no development on the matter.