From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 28: The state home minister Ravi Naik on Wednesday introduced `The Goa Police Bill, 2008` replacing the old legislations dating back to 19th century.
“The state police force have been functioning under the police act, 1861, the police act, 1888 and the Madras district police act, 1859 which have been extended to the state when we were union territory,” the bill mentions.
The new bill states that in the absence of a comprehensive legislation on the subject and with ever increasing pressure on the police to take immediate action to prevent disturbance of the public peace and tranquility, a need has been felt to enact the legislation.
“The new legislation will arm the police force with legal provisions to enable them to handle all situations which may lead to disturbance of public peace or tranquility and also enable the police to take action in cases of public nuisance or acts causing annoyance to public,” the bill reads.
The bill aims at providing a comprehensive legislation to cope with fast evolving changes and providing the police with means to work as an "efficient, people-friendly and responsive agency".
It also envisages the constitution of a Police Accountability Authority, State Police Commission and Police Establishment Board and will bestow upon the police powers to initiate summary action in cases of petty offences.
The bill seeks to vest the police with powers to tackle offences by the public on roads and punishment for certain offences pertaining to public nuisances with fine which may extend up to Rs 200.
A state police accountability authority headed by a Lokayukta is proposed to be set up to investigate suo motu or following charges from the public of misconduct by police personnel of all ranks.
It empowers the police to demarcate security zones in areas when insurgency threats or militant activity arise and to take measures to contain challenges to internal security. Special provisions envisaging the setting up of a separate crime investigation unit in each police station, as distinct from law and order, have also been made in the bill.