Goa Police Gets President's Colour; Amit Shah Cites Coastal Security, AI Helpline
Amit Shah presents President's Colour to Goa Police, praising its coastal security work, AI helpline, and improved conviction rates.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday presented the President's Colour to the Goa Police in Panaji, an honour reserved for units with exceptional records of service, discipline, and bravery. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and senior officers attended the ceremony, which marked the force's eight decades of duty along one of India's most visited coastlines.
Shah highlighted the unique burden of the state's police, noting that guarding a long, exposed coastline and ensuring the safety of millions of annual tourists is a task few other state forces undertake. He described the Goa Police as now ranking among the country's best.
AI-Powered Cyber Fraud Helpline
In a notable announcement, Shah said Goa has become one of the first states to deploy an AI-powered call agent on the national cyber fraud helpline, 1930. The system can handle complaints in all languages listed under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, allowing tourists from any state to report scams in their mother tongue and be routed to the appropriate desk without language barriers. Shah suggested this model could be scaled nationally as a frontline defence against online financial fraud.
Faster Emergency Response
The Home Minister also cited improvements in the 112 emergency helpline, where average response time has dropped from about 18 minutes to roughly eight minutes. Nearly 20,000 calls have been processed through the upgraded system, and the state aims to cut this further to under six minutes by adding more patrol vehicles.
Rising Conviction Rates
Shah credited Goa with being ahead of most states in implementing India's three new criminal laws, which replaced colonial-era codes with a framework centred on forensics and strict investigation timelines. He reported that conviction rates in the state have more than doubled, rising from 23 per cent to 53 per cent in a single year, reflecting improved efficiency in investigation and prosecution.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Roadmap
Shah also outlined a 2026-2029 roadmap for the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' initiative, a coordinated push involving states, police, and communities to eliminate narcotics. He expressed confidence that Goa Police, given its anti-trafficking experience, could serve as a model for other states.
Earlier in the day, the Home Minister paid tribute to officers who died on duty, stating that their sacrifice forms the true foundation of the force's reputation.