Team Goemkarponn
SOUTH GOA: A series of theft and attempted theft incidents targeting BSNL telecom infrastructure have been reported across several parts of South Goa in recent months, causing disruption to telephone services and losses to the public-sector telecom operator.
In the latest incident, a complaint by Mahesh Kumar Shirke, Divisional Engineer, BSNL, Vasco, stated that on September 18 at around 5 am, two unknown persons allegedly attempted to steal a BSNL pillar near the Sub District Hospital at Chicalim. The accused allegedly impersonated BSNL employees, but their attempt was foiled after intervention by former contract staff of BSNL. The investigation is being conducted by PSI Mayur Sawant of Vasco Police Station.
Another case was reported at the BSNL Telephone Exchange at Chicalim, where, according to a complaint by Junior Telecom Officer Kamalaksh Chari, an unknown person allegedly broke open the main door before August 25 and stole around 40 metres of 200-pair underground cable and 10 metres of 800-pair underground cable. The loss was estimated at Rs 25,000. PSI Akanksh Fadte Dessai of Vasco Police Station is investigating the case.
At Sancoale Exchange in Verna, a complaint stated that an unknown person allegedly cut and stole around five metres of DC copper power cable connected to 4G equipment before August 7. The cable was valued at around Rs 2,000. PSI Aditya Velip of Verna Police Station is investigating the matter.
In another incident at Sancoale Exchange, unknown persons allegedly attempted to steal OFC and power cables connected to 4G equipment before July 21. The attempted theft caused an estimated loss of Rs 10,000, according to the complaint. ASI Paresh Fal Dessai of Verna Police Station is conducting further investigation.
Several incidents involving BSNL pillar cabinets have also been reported in the Margao and surrounding areas.
A complaint by Junior Telecom Officer Saanvi Desai stated that between September 13 and 17, unknown persons allegedly broke open BSNL pillar cabinets at locations near Zoriwada, Datta Mandir and Maruti Mandir at Davorlim. The accused allegedly disconnected the wires and dismantled and removed valuable tag blocks, disrupting telephone services in the area. The loss and damage to public property was estimated at Rs 30,000. PSI Narayan Pinge of Maina Curtorim Police Station is investigating.
At Colva, Vandana Naik, Junior Telecom Officer, reported that between September 1 and 19, unknown persons allegedly broke open BSNL pillar cabinets near Rice Bowl Restaurant and removed tag blocks after disconnecting the wires. The incident reportedly disrupted essential telephone services in the Colva area and caused an estimated loss of Rs 40,000. LPSI Varshada Naik Dessai of Colva Police Station is investigating.
A similar incident was reported at Sanchayani Pillar in Vidyanagar and near Felicinta Pillar and Bolshe Circle in Fatorda. According to a complaint by Junior Engineer Chandrakant Ghaste, unknown persons allegedly broke open pillar cabinet locks, disconnected wires and dismantled tag blocks, resulting in disruption of telephone services in the Fatorda area. PSI Satvashil Devidas of Fatorda Police Station is conducting further investigation.
At Colmorod, Navelim, two unknown persons allegedly broke open BSNL pillar cabinets and stole tag blocks before September 11. The incident reportedly disrupted telephone services and caused an estimated loss of Rs 1.25 lakh. PSI Sanjay Velip of Margao Town Police Station is investigating.
Another complaint from the Comba area of Margao stated that two unknown persons allegedly broke open BSNL pillar cabinets and stole tag blocks before September 11. The loss was estimated at Rs 15,000, with disruption of telephone services reported in the area. ASI Santosh Gaonkar of Margao Town Police Station is investigating the case.
An earlier complaint from Chicalim and Vasco stated that, prior to July 10, unknown persons allegedly stole Krone block modules connected to copper-line pillars. The modules were allegedly cut and removed, resulting in disruption of telecommunication services to BSNL customers in the two areas. HC 4642 Suresh Dassar of Vasco Police Station is investigating the matter.
