Attack on Panaji police today

Attack on Panaji police today
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Panaji police are gearing up to defend themselves from an attack by their Mapusa mates. Information with TOI indicates that the Mapusa cops have prepared a systematic plan of attack against their Panaji counterparts on Saturday. Stones with which to pelt the Panaji police have been assembled and an ambulance is standing in readiness to carry off the injured.
It’s going to be an encounter worth watching and those wishing to witness the war between the men in khaki can do so at the Porvorim police ground, which has been selected as the battlefield.
But it’s a battle from which both sides will walk away from the field with their heads held high.
The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers. For that’s exactly what the fight will be — a drill.
“After the attack on the Panaji police station, we thought we should rethink our handling of a mob. This would help the morale of the police as they would be able to handle the mob and avoid allegations of brutality or helplessness,” said North Goa SP Bosco George.
The exercise will have about 50 policemen each playing the roles of law protectors and rioters. While the mob will pelt stones and attack with sticks, those playing the cops will be garbed in full riot gear consisting shields, lathis, helmets and chest guard to defend themselves. An officer will take charge and direct his juniors in the defence.
The operation focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob. Goan cops to be trained to handle mobs
Panaji: The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers.
The drill focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob, said North Goa SP Bosco George.These rules involve warning the mob, mild charging, using tear gas and firing — not to kill but to disarm.“We are taught this in the police training school, but over the years many of us may have forgotten it,” said SP George.
The issue gains importance due to the alarming increase in mob attacks. This was discussed at weekly police meetings after the attack on the Panaji police station in February by a group led by an MLA.This year there have already been 20 cases of rioting reported in North Goa. Contrast this to they year 2006, when 27 cases were reported. The situation in 2007 was quite bad, with as many as 47 cases of mob attacks reported.
“In the first round, the SDPO Panaji would take on the mob consisting of officers from SDPO Mapusa and in the second round, the SDPO Ponda would take on Porvorim,” said SP George.At the end of the contest, would come the result. Officers from Reserve Battalion, observing the ‘conflict’, would submit their report for the cops to act upon.

2008 May 31 Times Of India Goa