Goa administration introduces two new police districts

The Goa government has decided to form two new police districts, Mapusa and Ponda, to tackle the rise in tourism-related crimes and migrant influx and to ensure the safety of VVIP arrivals visitors to the State.

Panaji: Under pressure to deal with crimes related to tourists, floating migrant population, as well the safety of VVIP guests, the Goa government on Monday split the two existing police districts in the state to four, carving out two new police districts for administrative convenience and maintaining law and order more efficiently.

"The government of Goa has decided to create two new police districts namely Mapusa and Ponda. Hence, there will now be a total of four police districts with four district Superintendents. This decision will enable better and effective control over law and order, and prevention of crime," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.

"A large number of tourist arrivals has resulted in tourist-related crimes and other issues. With Goa hosting many international events and the participants and the visitors coming from the higher echelons of the society, it has put a tremendous strain on the police machinery. Likewise, frequent visits of VVIPs require elaborate police arrangements involving large scale police deployments during their visits," a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.

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"Therefore, in order to handle these situations and keep crime and law and order under control, it is necessary to increase the number of police districts in Goa, so that there is effective control over the crime and security situation and better supervision over the police force during exigencies," the statement also said.

At present Goa has two police districts: North Goa and South Goa. The two additional police districts which have been carved out by the state government are Mapusa, in North Goa and Ponda in South Goa.

"The overall security scenario and the upward crime graph needs an increase in Police Districts in the state of Goa. Over the years, the role and tasks of Goa Police have expanded and its functioning has become highly complex calling for a higher degree of professional skills and expertise. Moreover, the work opportunities to the people have led to migration which has resulted in the influx of migrant population," the CMO statement further said.

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IANS