Margao: A month into his posting, superintendent of police (South Goa) Santosh Dessai has laid out a clear and ambitious agenda. From street ruffians and burglars to rural drug peddlers and illegal bullfights, Dessai has put anti-social elements on notice.“Maintaining law and order and cracking down on thefts is my topmost priority. I want people to sleep peacefully at night,” Dessai told TOI.The SP said he would take strict action against rowdies, history-sheeters, anti-social elements and ruffians. “I have worked out a strategy to rein in such elements, and if needed, externing them from the district is an option we will exercise,” he said. “I will tolerate no breach of law and order in South Goa.” Acting against hooliganism, he added, was firmly on his priority list.“I have already issued instructions for increased patrolling at railway stations and bus stands, and for random, strict checking of hotels and lodges where criminals often take shelter before or after committing a crime.”The SP said police were working on creating a strong drug deterrent presence in vulnerable areas they have identified. “Drug peddling has penetrated into rural areas too, and that remains a concern. I have instructed all police stations to strengthen their intelligence networks and act sternly. All police inspectors and sub-divisional police officers have clear instructions to take immediate action against anyone involved in drug trafficking or consumption.”The third pillar of his agenda is curbing bullfights. “I have instructed police stations in coastal areas to increase their vigil against bullfights, and a special squad has been created to act on,” he said.A meeting chaired by South Goa collector Egna Cleetus, and co-chaired by Dessai, was recently held with sub-divisional magistrates, police inspectors and mamlatdars of Salcete taluka directed to strengthen inter-departmental enforcement against the banned animal sport. Directions were issued to police inspectors to act against landowners on whose properties illegal bullfights are organised.
