Porvorim: Legislators across party lines on Wednesday criticised the behavior of Goa police personnel who abuse their position, with Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo saying that some cops think they are above the law.“There is a small percentage of police personnel who think they can do whatever they want. Strict action should be taken by the higher-ups so that a message goes out that there is no place for them in the police department,” said Lobo.Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte also questioned the functioning of the police. “The way the police is behaving, I don’t think it was in the right sense,” he said.Fatorda GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said police sub-inspectors (PSI) have been doing whatever they want because “they are BJP karyakartas who have now become PSIs”. “These PSIs have been sent to collect ‘hafta’ (bribe). Earlier, BJP karyakartas would go to make the collection, but now, the PSIs do it. This has been going on since (former chief minister) Parrikar’s time,” said Sardesai.Two police personnel were caught on CCTV abusing and threatening staff at a Porvorim restaurant following a dispute over a food bill. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the police personnel involved would be suspended if found guilty.“The police need to behave,” said Velim MLA Cruz Silva. “They need to control themselves and work properly.”
