Snakes in homes to missing spectacles, all in a day’s work for Goa police

PANAJI: On Tuesday morning, a ‘missing’ complaint landed on the desk of police personnel in Mapusa. It raised eyebrows as the complainant was not looking a person or a pet. The complainant sought help for his missing spectacles, to be located “along with its case”.
Being a tourist destination, Goa has its downside for police as well. They frequently receive complaints of missing rent-a-cars which tourists have not returned to the owners.
When it comes to thefts being reported, Goa’s police have seen it all—from metal water meters and public signboards being stolen as scrap to owners forgetting where they’ve parked their bikes.Some citizens think even a misplaced cellphone is a job for the police. And, of course, things will never get dull when they get a call reporting snakes in the house.
“Complainants report their bikes missing and when we set out to investigate, it turns out the vehicle was found as the owner had only forgotten where it was parked. But the complainants do not bother informing us once they find the bike. Also, such complaints are common with some brands of mopeds where the key works on all bikes of the model and someone else rides off thinking it is their own bike. Similarly, they report smartphones missing only to discover later that the device has a dead battery at home itself,” said a police official.
While control rooms have been set up for newly-launched single emergency number 112 across the country, citizens do not hesitate to call up for the slightest of reasons. “Many citizens are not aware what exactly the number is for and call up complaining that they did not receive water supply or are experiencing a power cut,” said an official.
Officials said that in jurisdictions where college campuses are located, violations of the IT Act are common, caused by disputes between friends turned foes.
“Students exchange personal information over messaging apps, but later discover the information was shared on social media or with other friends. It is the most common complaint where college campuses are located,” said an official.
Disputes between neighbours where both sides claim assault are also very common where a compromise is struck once the case reaches the courts, said an officer.
“In many cases, we discover later during investigation that it was only a verbal dual, but assault was claimed to strengthen the case. Very often when the case reaches the courts, the parties decide to strike a compromise. We, however, have to go through the entire process of investigation in the meantime,” said one personnel.
“From snakes spotted in the backyard, there is no end to the odd complaints we receive. But we have to send our personnel to the spot to inquire. We have to register some of these complaints if they fall within the ambit of the law and have to take it through the entire legal process,” said a senior official from South Goa.