Dear Averthanus, I read your letter to the editor in the local newspaper today. While I would love to agree with the general drift of the letter, I was aghast at your labeling of Ryan Godinho , who was delivered to the Police by some men who had allegedly assaulted him earlier, as a KNOWN OFFENDER. Do you, Averthanus, know this to be a FACT? Most people I have talked to about this issue say he is not a criminal but had apparently arranged to hire a car which was, unfortunately, later used in an assault. So is your LABEL justified.
The other point is whether the Goa Police force stationed at the Panaji Police Station "MAY have over-reacted" or were as culpable as the persons who stoned the Police station. In actual fact, MAINTAINING Law and order is the only reason why these men in uniform are recruited, trained, fed, housed and paid from the taxpayers money. If a domestic dog bites its master, it is shot dead. If a soldier deserts his duty, he meets the same fate or at least a jail term after court martial. So why should it be different with SP Neeraj Thakur? Goa is not some Thakural where a cop can play the role of a goonda ...while still in uniform! That may be okay in bollywood films. Even the Mumbai police have declared a Dy. SP as a "Proclaimed Offender" and he has surrendered in Thana for extortion in the guise of "encounters". So why not the knee-jerk SP Neeraj from Goa? It is only when the cops get exemplary punishment will they develop the spine to prefer transfer to meek compliance with the illicit dictates of our ministers. One needs to start the change somewhere ...and the top is the unlikeliest place for a change unless one is planning a coup d'etat! Are you planning that? If not, support change at points where it can take place ...or at least hold your peace and let others do it. Mog asundi. Miguel Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:41:29 +0530 From: "Averthan D'Souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Breakdoiwn of the Rule of Law. Dear Editor, It is unfortunate, however, that no attention is being paid to the fact that what we are seeing is the result of a long term political interference in the normal functioning of the Police Establishment. We should not be surprised at the inevitable violent outcome. The former Minister for Town and Country Planning had a notorious reputation of intervening on behalf of "his" people, even when they transgressed the Law. He thought that as an ex-Minister he still enjoys those extra-constitutional powers, and he sought to use his influence to release a **known offender **who had been arrested by the Police. Since the Police did not succumb to his pressures, he gathered together his "followers" and stormed the Police Headquarters. This was an illegal act which deserved to be treated with the sternest action. The Goa Police **may have over-reacted, but the fact remains that they were provoked by the mob which had gathered outside the Police** Headquarters. Unfortunately the action of the Police has come under media attack, while the provocation is being downplayed. The Police are made a pawn in the political rivalries which are being played out on the streets. While the Police cannot be exonerated for allowing themselves to be "used" by the politicians, the citizens should be aware that the Politicians are primarily responsible for the breakdown of the Law and Order machinery in the State. This is only the beginning; there is worse to come. When we elect criminals into our Legislatures, we should not be surprised that they criminalize the entire political system, including the Law Enforcement machinery. Averthanus D'Souza, -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.