GOA//NEWS//PREETU NAIR//JOURNALIST//

Preetu Venugopalan, TNN 8 December 2009, 04:59am IST

2009-12-09T11:38:00.000+05:30

PANAJI: The Russian girl who was allegedly raped says that police forced her to register a complaint of assault and threatened her that her visa would be revoked.

Although the girl alleged that at about 2am on December 2 she was raped by Fernandes, who had contested the assembly elections in June 2007, Colva police registered a case of attempt to rape.

According to the FIR, Fernandes "jumped on the complainant to rape her". The complainant pleaded with him not to rape her. "He remained on the complainant for about 10 minutes. The complainant has received scratches and black marks all over her body as she tried to prevent the rape."

Speaking to TOI, the girl, who arrived in Goa in August 2009 on a business visa and works as a Russian representative in a five star hotel in South Goa said, "The Goa police seems to have preconceived notions about foreigners and they judge all foreigners in a similar fashion." She claimed that she had been wronged twice.

"First, by Fernandes, who pretended to be friendly and helpful and then raped me, and then by the police officer, who tried to scare me off. I want justice and that's why I have approached the Russian consulate," she said.

Explaining the sequence if events on that night, the girl said she had gone to a shack at Colva with a friend when Fernandes joined them at the bar and offered some cocktails. They were in the shack till 2am. "I had come on my scooter. But as I felt uneasy driving the bike after the cocktails, John offered to drop us home and we agreed as I knew John," she said.

The girl claims that she was raped after her friend was dropped home. "I was scared and begged him to drop me home. When I reached home I was in a state of shock and collapsed on the bed." She claimed that she woke up the next afternoon and went to the police station to report the incident.

"I was told by lady police officers that this was a case of molestation and I must complain accordingly. Later, the police inspector tried to influence me that to ensure that I don't get into trouble I should drop the charges against Fernandes."

Meanwhile PI Sidhant Shirodker, who was holding charge of Colva police station when the girl registered the complaint, has refuted charges that the Russian girl was harassed.

He stated the girl arrived at the police station and wrote the complaint herself, which was received and registered at 4.15 pm the same day.

Preetu Venugopalan, TNN 5 December 2009, 04:20am IST, the times of india, goa edition

Court raises questions over noise law in Goa

2009-12-09T11:28:00.000+05:30

PANAJI: Can a person be prosecuted for violation of an act that has been extended to Goa, but not yet notified? A local court has sought to know from the high court of Bombay at Goa about the enforceability of the MP (Madhya Pradesh) Control of Music and Noises Act (MPCMNA) in the state after it found that the law has not been notified even though it was extended by the central government to Goa in 1966.

The issue came up after Calangute police filed a chargesheet for offences punishable under section 7 and 8 of MPCMNA against a night club owner who is now facing trial in a criminal case before the JMFC, Mapusa.

It is alleged that the accused was found playing amplified music without permission from the competent authority and thereby causing noise pollution and disturbance to the public at 12.10am on March 22, 2007.

Appearing for the night club owner, advocate Galileo Telles pointed out to the court that though the provisions of the act were extended to Goa, no notification has been issued till date as provided in section 1(3) of the said act, either by the administrator of the Union territory of Goa or later by the governor, once Goa attained statehood.

The public prosecutor also admitted there is no such notification, thereby leading the court to observe that under Article 20(1) of the Constitution it has been provided that no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law that is in force at the time of commission of the act charged as an offence.

The North Goa sessions court has now referred the matter to the high court and sought to know whether the provisions of the act were enforceable.

Preetu Venugopalan, TNN 8 December 2009, 04:59am IST, The times of India

Motorcycle thief rides into Raj Bhavan

2009-12-09T11:22:00.000+05:30

PANAJI: In a serious security lapse, a motorcycle thief recently rode into Raj Bhavan and almost got to the office of the governor, who has a Z+

security cover. Police are now investigating how the rider got in, and that too around 7.40am, when the governor takes his morning walk. Besides, the incident took place on December 1, when the Goa was on alert because of the International Film Festival of India.

Sources said that one Amit Gadve, 24, arrived in Goa from Sangli, stole a bike and later rode into the Raj Bhavan complex. His identity was not checked by the guards at the main gate, who were told by the thief that he had come to meet his friend Santan, a Raj Bhavan employee who stays in the staff quarters. Santan was out of station at that time and has rejoined only recently.

After entering the campus, instead of oing to the employee quarters, he headed for the main building. An alert staff then stopped him and informed the police. SP (North) Bosco George confirmed the incident: “The accused entered Raj Bhavan with a stolen vehicle and was arrested.”

Cops came to know of the stolen bike after they brought Amit to the police station.

The two-wheeler had been reported missing from Campal on November 30. “Amit claimed that he was disturbed as his wife had left him and gone off to Mumbai. He came to Vasco by train on November 29 and stole the bike next day from Campal.

(Preetu Venugopalan Nair, TNN 9 December 2009, 05:30am IST. Appeared in the times of india, goa)

Former Goa junkie to star in French music festival

2009-10-28T09:41:00.000+05:30

Former Goa junkie to star in French music festival
Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: He wasted the best years of his life doing drugs on the streets of Colaba. After being thrown out of home at 15 for his addiction, this Class VIII dropout survived doing odd jobs in Mumbai, sometimes at the docks. But, after an eternity on the streets, he got tired and returned to his ancestral home on the island of Chorao, Goa. That was 10 years ago.

Here, Joseph Rocha, fondly called Slow Joe, was to become a `Cinderella Man', on the lines of celebrated American boxer James Braddock. Rocha deaddicted himself and devoted himself to singing although he has no formal training.

Occasionally, he would sing at shacks in the area. During one such evening in July 2007 he met a young foreigner. He was playing a four-string guitar and, he recalls, ``I started to sing. I had no idea that it would lead to this,'' Rocha recalls.

Cedric de la Chapelle, a young musician from Lyon with a four-man band, was looking for inspiration. The group was so taken in by Slow Joe that they took him to Delhi for a recording. That's how `Slow Joe & The Ginger Accident' was born, with the islander as the lead singer. ``His voice is soulful, soaked with American musical culture, and he is much younger at heart than any of us,'' says Cedric.

Today, Rocha (67) is waiting to fly out to Paris to play live at the Trans Musicales De Rennes Festival 2009, France's oldest live show.``Now I love my songs and my feni. Trust me, music, at times, is better than sex,'' he says.

``When I was young, I was a coward and would run away from realities of life by taking drugs. When I started accepting life as it was, I learnt to live without drugs. Now I have the strength to fight. And guess what? I am turning lucky as now I am getting my due,'' he says.

``I started singing ever since I learnt to talk,'' says Slow Joe. At first he would sing Sinatra or Presley, but now he sings his own compositions. ``I was 12 when I wrote my first song. Life has taught me important lessons and I bring out my experiences in my verse,'' says the man who always moves with a notebook. ``I never know what could inspire me.''

There are, however, still some twists left to his story. He has to reach Paris for his his first ever live show but has no passport. It expired in 2000. His ration card hasn't been renewed since 1997 and he closed his bank account years ago.

``I've been careless. But people are helping me. I've got a letter from the panchayat stating I've lived in Chorao for more than five years,'' he says. He also has an affidavit. The passport office is cooperating. ``Let him come to me with the documents and we will do the needful,'' said passport officer S B Hire. Meanwhile, the band is in Goa so that they don't miss out on their practice, waiting for Slow Joe's passport to glory days.

28 October 2009, The Times of India, New Delhi edition

Man wanted in UK arrested in Goa

2009-10-27T08:30:00.000+05:30

Man wanted in UK arrested in Goa
Preetu Nair & Arvind Tengse, TNN

PANAJI: Goa police late on Monday night arrested a UK national wanted by the Lancashire police for a kidnapping in Burnley more than six years ago.

The police stumbled upon Ajay Kaushal, 50, while investigating the death of a British tourist in Colva on Sunday. Police sources said Kaushal had been sentenced to 15 years in jail by a UK court, but he fled the country. Ateam of the Colva police led by PI Siddhant Shirodkar arrested Kaushal under section 41 of CrPC after receiving documents from the Lancashire police. Confirming this, SP (South) Allen D’Sa said, “On receiving confirmation from the Lancashire police that Kaushal is a most wanted man in there, we arrested him”. “We are in touch with the Interpol and are verifying his antecedents”, said DIG Ravindra Yadav.

27 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition

For Rs 50,000 they killed four women

2009-10-26T10:18:00.000+05:30

For Rs 50,000 they killed four women
Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: The four murders allegedly committed by Siva G TNN Chandrakant Talwar and Syron Rodrigues got them a booty of just over Rs 50,000, police sources revealed. The duo would offer women a lift in their car and then kill them for their money and jewellery.

Talwar, 35, from St Inez would strangulate the women, while Rodrigues, 20, from Chimbel would purchase 1 litre of petrol, which the duo would sprinkle on the victim before setting the body ablaze. Syron’s girlfriend, a minor, would convince the women to accept the lift.

“The total amount that they got after selling the victims’ gold ornaments—1 mangalsutra, 2 gold chains, 2 pairs of gold earrings—is Rs 42,000. Another Rs 9,320 in cash was found in Malati Yadav’s purse,” said police sources.Explaining how the murders took place, police sources said, “Sharmila Mandrekar was walking home when they stopped the car and asked her for directions.

They then offered her a lift home as it was in the same direction. Once she was in the car, they took a wrong road. Seeing this Sharmila raised an alarm, but when Talwar threatened to kill her, she kept quite.

26 October 2009 , The Times of India, Goa edition

Sanatan ideology a worry: DIG

2009-10-26T10:16:00.000+05:30

Sanatan ideology a worry: DIG

TNN,

PANAJI: With the role of Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha coming under the scanner after two of its "important functionaries" were being accused of carrying explosives that led to the blast in Margao on the eve of Diwali, a senior police official has said there was "something wrong" with the organization's ideology.

"If their active members, who are important functionaries in the Sanstha are involved in the blasts in Margao, then there is definitely something wrong with the ideology of the organization," said DIG Ravindra Yadav.

He said, "There is also something wrong with the philosophy of the organization. Nobody expects that an organization which has members who chant names of gods, read holy scriptures and talk about spirituality, would also have someone like Malgonda Patil and others, who indulge in terrorist activities. "

DIG Yadav said that even in the past, several members of the Sanstha have been accused in blasts in Maharashtra and now important members in Goa are involved in the blast.

Police have said that though they are investigating the role of Sanatan Sanstha, "nowhere have we said that Sanatan is involved in the blast. We have only said that these two persons have linkages with Sanatan".

Sanatan has claimed that Patil, who died in the blast, is not an administrator of the Sanatan ashram. "But he was definitely in a high position in the Sanstha. There is no doubt that Patil is among the top influential persons in the organization," said DIG Yadav.

However, when asked if they have found any evidence linking Patil to the Sanstha and his role in the Sanstha during the raids conducted by Special Investigation Team (SIT), DIG Yadav said, "Investigations are in progress and we are analyzing the evidence".

Meanwhile, police sources said they have come across people who have revealed that Patil claimed to be an administrator of the Sanatan. "When our CID official called up the organization for any information, they would put him in touch with Patil, claiming that he was the administrator, authorized to give information about the organization to outsiders", said police sources.

No arrests have been made so far in connection with the blast. In their latest press release, Sanatan has claimed, "Many Goans have affirmed their support to us. They have realized that the investigation of the Margao blast is being conducted purely from a political perspective and that Sanatan has been held to ransom for it".

However, Sanatan Sanstha's spokesperson Abhay Vartak told TOI, "We are into spiritual science and we have discarded hinsa (violence). Patil was just a prasarak (one who spreads spiritual awareness on behalf of the organization) and staying in the ashram. If the police feel that our philosophy that has inspired lakhs of people is wrong, then thousands of people should have committed the act that Patil is accused of doing by the police".

October 26, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

'No chance of facility being misused'

2009-10-26T10:10:00.001+05:30

EDITORIAL OF OHERALD, Goa REACTING TO THE STORY

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29034&cid=15

26 Oct,2009

The Russians are coming...
For most of us, the cold war ended in the last decade of the last century. But for others, it seems, it’s still on. On Saturday, the Goa edition of a leading national newspaper offered us the ‘sensational’ news that, “believe it or not”, Goa was offering visas on arrival. It alleged that charter tour operators had managed to secure this dangerous privilege for clients, “especially from Russia”, with the “active connivance of immigration authorities”. For a mere $40, “at least on paper” (implying that this was supplemented by further underhand payments), it said, Russian Mafioso could gain entry to Goa and India.
Really...?
Apparently, Indian Ambassador to Moscow P P Shukla had objected to this pernicious practice. But it quoted the “latest letter” from the ambassador in this regard as having been written on 15 January 2009; over 10 months ago and during the previous tourism season! This is a small storm in a tiny cup containing some very old and very stale tea.
It is not a new issue. It actually came up in January, when Ajor Ananenko, a Russian tourist visiting Goa on a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP), was caught by the Pernem police for overstaying after his TLP expired. Goa Police then questioned his entry on a TLP. The issue was thoroughly discussed at the time in Herald. We thought it was resolved, but apparently it was not so.
Visas on arrival are not the kind of security flaw they are being made out to be. Countries that count tourism as an important source of their revenue – including Thailand, Sri Lanka and Singapore – offer visas on arrival to tourists. With computerised databases, the possibility that terrorists or personae non grata can get into the country using this route is greatly reduced. Besides, visas on arrival are for short stays, and are rarely valid for more than 15 days or a month, while the normal visitor’s visa is valid for six months.
The Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) – the Indian version of the Visa-on-Arrival – isn’t issued to any and every Russian arriving in Goa. Before the 2008-09 season, Russian charter tourists flying into Goa came only from Moscow. However, last year, charter aircraft began flying out of other Russian cities, like Yekaterinburg and St Petersburg, none of which have Indian consulates to issue visas.
Since these towns are thousands of kilometres away from Moscow, it is completely unrealistic to expect would-be charter tourists to travel to Moscow and back just to get their Indian visas. That is why the central government allowed charter tourists from only these places entry into India on Temporary Landing Permits. By the rules, charter tourists flying in from Moscow cannot ask for and should not be granted TLPs. Only those flying in from Yekatrinburg, St Petersburg and other places without consulates are supposed to get this ‘privilege’. So far, there are no complaints that these rules are being flouted.
Unnecessarily creating controversies will hurt Goa’s tourist trade, which is already reeling from the combined onslaught of the global recession and the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike. Numbers of British tourists are likely to go down this year by a further 15 per cent, and the tourist trade is hoping to make up the shortfall with increased visitors from Russia and the Ukraine.
It is not as if any Russian can or does come in on a TLP. Between September and December last year, 4,650 TLPs were issued to Russians, while a total of 17,632 Russian tourists came into Goa during the period, making it the second largest group of tourists after the British, who numbered 27,542. This means, first, that the vast majority of Russians in Goa entered with proper visas. Second, the new system of issuing TLPs increased the number of Russian tourists by over 25 per cent.
In fact, a much bigger problem is that immigration authorities in Goa tend to forget about tourists once they get in, whether with valid visas or TLPs. All records are now computerise

Goa onlya state in country to offer ' visa on arrival'

2009-10-26T10:08:00.000+05:30

Goa Tourism dept nixes police security plan

2009-10-25T13:34:00.000+05:30

Tourism dept nixes police security plan
Preetu Nair, TNN 25 October 2009,

PANAJI: The tourism department has shot down a police proposal to erect a watch tower at Santa Monica jetty to keep a tab on movement of people this tourist season.

“Considering the present scenario in the country and intelligence inputs regarding (possible) terrorist attacks in the western coast of India, it is felt necessary to have a watch tower at Santa Monica jetty manned by the police to keep a watch on the movement of suspicious persons,” superintendent of police (north) Bosco George had written to the Corporation of the City of Panaji on August 18.

He pointed out that there is a daily flow of tourists into Panaji and that most of them visit Santa Monica jetty for river cruises. George’s letter assumes significance in the wake of the Diwali-eve blast at Margao. However, the CCP wrote back saying “this office is unable in the present circumstances to do anything from safety and security point of view”.

In his reply on September 25, CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes said, “The tourism department has requested that they are going ahead with the plans for the area, it is informed that this office (CCP) is unable in the present circumstances to do anything from safety and security point of view (sic)”.

“Initially we had agreed to the police proposal. But we received two letters from the tourism department specifically informing us about their plans. We have communicated the same to the police,” Gomes told TOI. The tourism department apparently felt that a watch tower would hamper the free flow of traffic and said it is planning a road overbridge to ease congestion.

25 October, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Goa only state in country to offer ‘visa on arrival’

2009-10-24T20:26:00.000+05:30

Goa only state in country to offer ‘visa on arrival’

Preetu Nair, TNN 24 October 2009

PANAJI: Believe it or not, Goa offers visas on arrival. Or at least this is what charter/tour operators have managed to secure for their clients, especially from Russia, with the active connivance of immigration authorities. A foreigner is charged $40 for it, at least on paper.

“Granting of visa on arrival is nowhere practised in India except Goa, which is objected to now. The practice should be discontinued,” said an internal note submitted by SSP (Security) VV Chaudhary on September 19, 2009.

So worrying is the situation that the Indian ambassador in Moscow has repeatedly written to the Centre expressing concern. In his latest letter, dated January 15, 2009, ambassador PP Shukla warned about a threat to security and said there is talk among operators organizing tours of Russian nationals to India that a ‘visa on arrival scheme’ is in force in Goa. “This rumour seems to have arisen because some operators claim to have managed to get visas on arrival for their clients who have landed at Goa without a valid Indian visa from any of our missions,” Shukla explained. “We have been emphasizing to all concerned that there is no such scheme and tour operators should desist from such offers,” he added. Two similar letters were dispatched by the Indian ambassador to Russia on November 20, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

What the ambassador is talking about here is the misuse of the Temporary Landing Facility (TLF), which can be offered by immigration authorities only in case of emergencies. “Misuse of such a discretionary facility, needless to say, could be a matter of serious concern from the security angle,” the letter noted.

The Times of India, Goa edition, 24 October 2009

Fiona upset with CBI

2009-10-23T09:48:00.000+05:30

Fiona upset with CBI
Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: British teenager Scarlett Keeling's mother has said that she is "bitterly disappointed" and "in a state of shock" as she feels that the supplementary chargesheet filed by the CBI "has given far more breathing room" to the two men suspected of killing daughter in February last year.

"I am bitterly disappointed with the charges and I don't know what to think. I had hope in the CBI, but now that's shattered. Leave alone catch the real culprits, even murder charges against the two accused has been dropped," Fiona Mackeown told TOI from her home in UK.

Fiona believes that Scarlett's murderers may think that they have escaped from the long arms of law but "the souls of her murderers will never find peace".

The CBI in its supplementary chargesheet filed in the children's court on Wednesday against Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho charged the duo for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It may be recalled that the Goa police in a chargesheet filed in May 2008 had charged the two accused with murder. "What does this say about India? It seems no one has the power to make the men guilty of killing my daughter accountable. I am not surprised though," said Fiona, who had been alleging that powerful people in Goa are involved in the murder of her daughter. The Goa police first said she had drowned. However, following a forceful campaign by Fiona, the police registered a case of rape and murder.

But unhappy with the investigations, she demanded a CBI inquiry. "I feel that Goa is an unsafe place to visit and it is unlikely that I will ever return, except probably for the trial," Fiona said.

She revealed that she doesn't completely blame the CBI. "I think they did the best they could do with what little evidence was left. Besides, they were instructed not to investigate the Goa police for the blatant lies they told me initially. The CBI weren't allowed to look at why the police tried to cover up the murder in the first place. The government in India obviously didn't want the CBI to succeed," she alleged.

However, she made it clear that her fight is far from over. "At the moment, I am not sure what to do next. But I will attend the trial in India and won't give up fighting for Scarlett," Fiona said.

Fiona also stated that "Scarlett awaits a decent burial". "The coroner in UK has told me that Scarlett's body will not be released to me until she has received the reports on the case from the Indian authorities. I hope at least they will send the reports so that we can have a decent funeral for Scarlett," she added.

October 23, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Special Investigation Team raids Sanatan offices in Goa

2009-10-23T09:44:00.000+05:30

SIT raids Sanatan offices
TNN

PANAJI: The special investigation team probing Friday’s blast at Margao raided the offices of the Sanatan Sanstha on Thursday. The raid, which commenced in the afternoon, was on till late night. Sources said they SIT was looking through the computers at the offices for evidence to link the Sanstha with the blast. They are also searching for documents that could verify Malgonda Patil’s links with the Sanstha, and the possibility of any conspiracy being hatched in the Sanstha.

“Since Patil was a member of the Sanstha, it is important to check his records and that is why the search is being conducted,” DIG Ravindra Yadav said. Patil, who died in the blast, was one of the accused in the case. Patil’s body lies unclaimed at the GMC morgue. Sources said the police sent a wireless message to his family in Sangli to collect the body. Earlier, his uncle had come to claim the body, but the police were unable to hand it over as the post-mortem had not been conducted.

October 23, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Canacona Muncipal Corporation doesn't want more beach shacks

2009-10-23T09:39:00.000+05:30

CMC doesn't want more beach shacks

TNN

PANAJI: Even as coastal villagers in the north have been striving to obtain permissions for an additional number of shacks on its beaches this season, those residing in Canacona prefer otherwise.

They fear that soil erosion along Canacona's beaches could cause a serious ecological imbalance if not tackled by the concerned authorities.

Information obtained under the Right To Information (RTI) reveals that on September 30, 2009, the chief officer of the Canacona Municipal Council wrote to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) that the shacks allotted are in violation of the Environment Protection Act.

"There is no beach cleanliness system maintained by the tourism department. No lifeguards are available and no sweepers are visible throughout the tourist season (at Canacona), which are the basic requirements before offering the new shack policy. Beach shacks allotted are in total violation of the Environment Protection Act as there is no waste water disposal facility available on the beaches," the letter states.

It further notes, "There are more than 20 shacks allowed by the municipal council to private owners. The Palolem beach is very close to the high tide line (HTL) and the issuance of another 20 shacks by the tourism department on the beaches is not required at Palolem." In 2008, there were 8 shacks at Palolem.

The letter states that shacks could even be damaged during high tide. "There is soil erosion on beaches which is not taken care of by the tourism department and, as such, there is every possibility of causing imbalance of the ecology," the letter notes.

It further added that although the Palolem, Patnem and Rajbag beach stretch is more than 1km long, lifeguards are based only at the centre of the stretch, making it impossible to rescue people drowning elsewhere. It had been suggested that four-wheel drive vehicles and jet skis be provided to the lifeguards there.

In its meeting on October 1 to discuss the shack policy, the GCZMA has made it clear that the department of tourism is required to maintain all specific conditions pertaining to beach management, garbage management and eco sensitive conservation.

Meanwhile, Shack Owners' Welfare Society (SOWS) president Cruz Cardozo said, "We had asked for more shacks in a few places at Canacona. But our demand had not been met. We don't know the exact cause. We were fighting for more shacks in Calangute and Candolim and managed to get a few more allotted here. Next year, we will ensure that more shacks are allotted at other places, as there is scope for the business."

October 23,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

I hope CBI report is just: Scarlett's mom

2009-10-21T08:40:00.000+05:30

I hope CBI report is just: Scarlett's mom
TNN
PANAJI: With the CBI about to file a chargesheet on British teenager Scarlett's murder case in the children' court by October 24, the mother of the girl whose partially clothed body was found at Anjuna beach in 2008 feels that her daughter will finally get justice. "I hope now that Scarlett will get justice. The last year has been hard. It has been a year of waiting," Fiona MacKeown told TOI from her home in Devon, UK.

When Scarlett's body was first found on Anjuna beach in February 2008, police dismissed it as a case of drowning. But after pressure from her mother, a second post-mortem examination was conducted which revealed that her daughter was murdered and two were arrested in the case. "It has been very hard to get justice in India. At times it felt like everything was against me including the Goa government. Now with the CBI filing the chargesheet, I feel some relief," Fiona said.

Fiona has her hopes pinned on the CBI. After all, she risked entering India, despite knowledge that the Goa police wanted to question her with regard to a complaint filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues that the negligence of the mother had led to the death of the minor girl.

It is alleged that Fiona had left her daughter alone in Goa and had gone with her boyfriend and other children to Gokarna, Karnataka. But Fiona had always refuted these charges and stated that it was an attempt to stop her fight for justice. Few months back, with the court denying the CBI permission to go to UK, she had traveled to Mumbai to give her statement.

"Let's hope the fight was worth it. I think the CBI will do the best job they can and my highest hopes are that they will pin a murder charge on the person or persons responsible," said Fiona.

The CBI will have to submit the chargesheet to the court by October 24. Meanwhile, even as she awaits justice for her daughter, a year later, the mother is still to give her daughter a decent burial. "I am still waiting for the UK coroner to release Scarlett's body to me for the burial," said the mother.

21 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition

Manuals by Sanatan Sanstha 'disturbing'

2009-10-19T18:33:00.000+05:30

Manuals by Sanatan Sanstha 'disturbing'
Preetu Nair, TNN

Panaji: The entry of the Sanathan Sanstha into Goa is a matter of grave concern, admit sources, as books published by the sanstha talk about 'making people of Goa and Sindhudurg aware of special responsibility they shoulder". However, DIG Ravindra Yadav refused to comment on whether the Sanstha's entry wuld prove perilous for Goa.

" As the task of reinstatement of the divine kingdom will commence in Goa and Sindhudurg , the people have to be constantly made aware of what a great responsibility they shoulder," reveals a book on 'Spiritual practise of Protecting Seekers and Destroying Evildoers' published by Sanathan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha in Goa.

'Kshastradharma' is the central beleif of the Sanathan Sanstha, described in their texts as 'spiritual practise of protecting seekers and destroying evil doers".

Goa police are now investigating the scale of the Sanathan sanstha network , which set up its ashram in Goa ten years back at Ponda. This comes subsequent to investigations revealing that Malgonda Patil, who succumbed to the injuries he received in Friday's blast and injured Yogesh Naik are members of the sanstha.

This is not the first time that the Sanatan Sanstha has had brush with terrorism related activities. In 2008 , the ant- terrorism squad of the Maharashtra police had arrested six Sanathan Sanstha members for their alleged involvement in planting IED's at auditoriums in Thane, Vashi and a movie theatre in Panvel.

Police sources admit they had been keeping a watch on the sanatan's activities from 2008 , but could not gather incriminating evidence on any alleged 'illegal' activities in the state.

19 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

'Sanatan is shifting base to Goa'

2009-10-19T18:16:00.000+05:30

'Sanatan is shifting base to Goa'
Preetu Nair, TNN

Panaji: "Investigations have revealed that Sanathan Sanstha is shifting its base to Goa from Maharashtra . They want to make Goa their headquarters," said DIG Ravindra Yadav.

On Sunday the sanstha's Ponda unit trustees were called for questioning by Margao Police. On record , Sanatan Sanstha has distances itself from the blast in Margao." We have formed a Special Investigating Team to conduct thorough investigations" said DGP Bhimsen Bassi. The SIT has left for Sangli , hometown of Malgonda Patil an accused who was killed in the blast.

Police sources said that the IED ( Improvised Explosive Device) was made of gelatin sticks procured from a manufacturing unit in Nagpur. " Many mining quarries in the state acquire gelatin sticks. We are trying to verify how the accused got hold of them," said police.

The Times of India, Goa edition, October 19,2009

Manuals by Santan Sanstha 'disturbing

2009-10-19T18:06:00.000+05:30

Goa blast heat on Hindu outfit

2009-10-19T07:54:00.002+05:30

Goa blast heat on Hindu outfit

Preetu Nair,TNN

PANAJI: The probe into Friday night’s blast at Margao has revealed that Sanatan Sanstha, the right-wing Hindu group allegedly involved in the
blast, may have shifted its base from Maharashtra to Goa. The state government said it was investigating if any local politician was involved.

According to police, one of the four bombs planted by the group exploded seriously injuring two Sanatan Sanstha members. One of them, Malgonda Patil, died later in hospital. The other, Yogesh Naik, is battling for life at the Goa medical college and hospital. Two bombs were also defused in Margao and another near Shantadurga temple at Sancoale on Friday night.

‘‘We are inquiring if any politician has played a part in the circumstances that led to the blast and if they did play any role, to what extent they are involved,’’ state home minister Ravi Naik told TOI on Sunday. ‘‘No organization can destroy Goa’s peace and harmony without local political support,’’ he added.

At the moment though the probe is about the role of the Sanatan Sanstha in the blast. Police claim there are strong signs of its complicity. ‘‘Investigations have revealed that Sanatan Sanstha is shifting its base to Goa from Maharashtra. They want to make Goa their headquarters,’’ said DIG Ravindra Yadav. The Sanatan Sanstha has denied their involvement.

Cops have interrogated the Sanatan’s Ponda unit trustees and searched their printing press at Margao. There was no register giving details of its employees at the press, which was ‘‘quite suspicious’’, police said. Seventeen employees were working at the time of the raid. Police said most of them were from Maharashtra and stayed at the press itself.

On Sunday, Goa police constituted a special investigation team (SIT) headed by SP Omprakash Kudtarcar for the probe. ‘‘We have formed an SIT to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that the culprits are brought to book,’’ said DGP Bhimsen Bassi.

DIG Yadav said the gelatin sticks used in the IEDs (improvised explosive devices) found at Margao and Sancoale showed they were procured from Nagpur. ‘‘The similarity in the make and design of the circuit of the IEDs found at both the places reveal a singular and wider conspiracy,’’ he said. There are several mining quarries in Goa, which regularly buy gelatin sticks for industrial use. ‘‘We are trying to verify how the accused got the gelatin sticks,’’ said a senior police officer involved in the probe.

Asked if the role of Sanatan Sanstha has been clearly established in the case, Yadav evaded a direct reply. ‘‘One Sanatan member has been arrested and we are investigating.’’

Home minister Naik said the case would be cracked soon. He said, ‘‘The police will ensure that Goa remains a peaceful state and its communal harmony is not disturbed by such activities.’’

19 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Govt bodies have no websites

2009-10-19T07:45:00.001+05:30

Govt bodies have no websites - not updated properly
TNN
PANAJI: A recently conducted review of 67 various government departments, corporations, local bodies and premier institutions, has revealed that as many as 43 of them do not have any website at present. Besides, of those that have websites, most of them are not updated.

The review was recently conducted by the chief secretary to verify the opening of websites in government departments. A circular issued by the IT secretary Uddipta Ray to all government departments on October 10, 2009 reveals, "The chief secretary expressed not only his concern but also displeasure at the tardy way the matter has been dealt with by the various government departments".

The circular notes, "The situation has been viewed with greater concern because under the Right to Information Act, it has been made mandatory for all the government departments and other organizations coming within the purview of the said Act to not only set up their websites in a time bound manner but also to keep it continuously updated".

The chief secretary, therefore, held such lackadaisical attitudes by the departments as totally unacceptable, the circular notes. Ray has said that the CS has further directed that unless the departments take action to open their websites within 15 days from receipt of this circular, severe action will be taken against the Head of Department concerned.

Department of Information Technology (DOIT) is the nodal department in respect of websites. "The departments which have already opened the websites are required to furnish the details within the next 5 days to the DOIT", the circular states.

Also the departments which are yet to set up a website have been asked to forward information about their department and other details immediately to host the material in the static form in the government of Goa portal, so as to be accessible to the public.

19 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Goa Police arrest two, say serial murders solved

2009-10-18T13:17:00.003+05:30

Goa Police arrest two, say serial murders solved

Preetu Nair, TNN

Panaji:The arrest of two persons the Goa police have solved the mystery behind four serial killings in the state. While three women were killed and then there bodies burnt, the fourth woman’s head was crushed.

On Friday, police team picked up Chandrakant Talwar, 35, from St Inez and Syron Rodrigues, 20, from Chimbel from Mumbai, where they were hiding. They were arrested for their alleged role in the murder of the Evita Rodrigues, 16, of Taleigao. Evita’s half-burnt, half-naked body was found at Verna on Monday.

Further investigations revealed that the duo had either strangulated or smothered the three woman and then burnt them, said police sources. Only one woman’s head was smashed. Their motive it appears was to commit theft, said police sources. While a 61-year-old fisherwoman’s body was found at Merces on Monday, two unknown bodies of young women were found at Mapusa on Tuesday.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the duo are involved in all the murder cases”, said a senior police official.

DIG Ravindra Yadav, who is coordinating the with the various police teams investigating the murders said, “It is the Goa police’s team effort that has shown results and we have managed to crack the cases within 2 days. We got reliable information that the two accused were in Mumbai and we dispersed two teams from the Crime branch to Mumbai”. However, he refused to elaborate further.

Police spokesperson SP AV Deshpande said, "The Goa police team picked up two Goan youth from Mumbai in connection with the murder. Only after thorough investigations can we reveal anything further".

Police sources explaining the modus operandi of the duo said that the two would ask people for lift in their car. “They would travel together in a car along with a woman and prey on innocent woman. The motif was to rob,” said police sources. This came to light as the duo had tried the same trick with a woman from Porvorim.

“They asked this lady from Porvorim, if she wanted a lift in their Alto car. Scared, she refused to accept the lift and ran away from the spot,” said police sources. Incidentally, from October 7 to October 12, they were suspected to be staying in a hotel in Mayem and a day after committing the murders, they had left the hotel. Talwar’s name is also their in the hotel register, said police sources.

Sources revealed that the duo were earlier part of Mansio gang. However, after Mansio’s death, Talwar took over the reigns of the gang. The gang was involved in a jewellery theft at Marcel on September 24, 2008. While Syron was arrested and later released on bail, Talwar was absconding. The matter is still pending in the Court.

It is also alleged that they are involved in sex rackets. "Syron was close to the minor Evita and his girlfriend is Evita’s friend," added police sources. However, the police is verifying whether the reason behind killing Evita was just for theft.

October 17,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Killers on the prowl? Cops in tizzy

2009-10-15T09:20:00.000+05:30

Killers on the prowl? Cops in tizzy
TNN
PANAJI: Goa continued to reel under a spate of mysterious deaths with more bodies being recovered on Wednesday. The total number of bodies recovered since Sunday now stands at 10.

The bodies of a woman, her two children—a four-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy—and her companion were fished out of the Ourem creek in Panaji on Wednesday.

A panel of doctors, meanwhile, conducted post-mortems on the bodies of three women found under mysterious circumstances in the last two days.

While the post-mortem on the 16-year-old girl from Taliegao whose body was found in Verna revealed that she died of strangulation, the woman who was found at Merces on Monday had been smothered to death.

The postmortem report revealed that even the third woman found at Khorjuvem in Mapusa has been smothered to death. Police have registered both the cases as murder.

15 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Steps to avoid swapping of boarding cards

2009-10-15T09:16:00.001+05:30

Steps to avoid swapping of boarding cards
PREETU NAIR, TNN

PANAJI: In February 2009, four Iranians, who had boarded a flight from Goa to UK were detained at Bahrain by the British consulate staff, when the crew stopped there for refueling. They were found to be travelling on forged Cyprus passports.

In another instance, in October 2008, a person who had taken a ticket to fly to Dubai in an Indian airlines flight boarded an IA flight to Mumbai. He was apprehended at the Mumbai airport.

With cases of boarding card swapping and missing domestic and international passengers coming to light at the Dabolim airport, this year, the Goa police has asked all charter and tour operators to ensure separation of domestic and international passengers in immigration areas to avoid mixing of passengers and boarding card swapping.

"To ensure that no such things happen, we have also asked for separate security check gates for domestic and international flights and checking of passport at ladder point, before boarding of flight to avoid impersonation," said SP (Immigration) Tony Fernandes.

This issue was discussed during a meeting of all charter operators and tour operators held by the police on October 9, 2009 at police headquarters. Also, all flight operators have been asked to ensure that sufficient blank disembarkation cards are collected from Immigration office Dabolim airport and the same sent well in advance to the originating country of the charter flight. The said cards should be filled on board the flight by the passengers before arrival in Goa and filling of disembarkation cards in the Immigration arrival hall should be avoided, as the same will create confusion/hindrance in the Immigration procedure.

Also, with the number of Russian tourists expected to increase this year, the police has made it clear that "during last charter season it was noted that many passengers, specially from Russia, arrived under heavy influence of alcohol and created nuisance in the arrival hall. Immigration reserves the right to accept/reject such passengers".

Besides, swine flu check forms will be given to passengers on board the flights. Meanwhile, two charter flights arrived from Russia today, bringing with it 382 tourists. While one flight brought in 176 Russians and one Kazakhistan passenger, the second flight brought in 184 Russians, 15 Belarus nationals, 4 Ukranians, 1 Iranian and 1 Armenian passenger.

15 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition

More bodies of women found

2009-10-15T09:12:00.001+05:30

More bodies of women found
TNN

PANAJI/VASCO/MAPUSA: The discovery of more bodies of women in Bardez taluka on Tuesday has baffled the police. While two partially burnt bodies were found on Monday, another body in a similar state was discovered on Tuesday. Besides, the police also found a fourth body with the head smashed on Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, the halfburnt, semi-naked body of a woman suspected to be in her early twenties was discovered in an open, isolated area at Khorjuvem. Suspecting murder, police said the woman, reported to have Mongolian features, might have been murdered elsewhere and the body brought to the spot.

Incidentally, the woman’s body was left on the roadside although there are overgrown bushes a few metres away. Police suspect the woman could have recently got married as she had mehendi on her hands and sindoor on her forehead. Incidentally, rubber chappals were placed on her private parts and the body burnt.

In the other case, police found the decomposed body of a woman in some bushes near the government primary school at Succor, Bardez. The woman was wearing a green sari and blouse. Police have found blood stains in the school premises and said that the head had been smashed. Police believe the woman would be around 25 to 30 years old.

Police PRO, SP A V Deshpande said, “Don’t link the murders as it is still too premature. The only common thing is that all three are women and were burnt. Till the investigations reveal the real facts of the case, we cannot comment.”

While the half-burnt body found by the Old Goa police at Merces on Monday remains unidentified, the police have identified the body of a 16-year-old girl found burnt on Monday at an isolated spot at Verna. The body was identified after the girl’s mother, a Taleigao resident, approached the Panaji police to lodge a missing complaint.

Her daughter Evita Rodrigues, an open school student, had gone missing since Sunday morning. Evita had left the house after informing her mother that she would be going to her friend’s house at Santa Cruz and then the two of them would go to Vasco to see the exam centre. However, when her daughter didn’t return home at night, the mother phoned Evita’s friend only to learn that her daughter had never come to her place.

Admitting that it was a case of murder, Vasco DySP Mahesh Goankar raised concerns regarding the similarities in the cases of Evita and that of the woman with 50% burns found in Merces on Monday. In both the cases, polythene pieces were found near the body. Police have requested the Goa Medical College and Hospital to form a panel of doctors to conduct post mortems on all three women.

14 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition

Affidavit details steps to improve Apna Ghar facilities

2009-10-15T09:10:00.000+05:30

Affidavit details steps to improve Apna Ghar facilities
TNN

PANAJI: The department of women and child development (DWCD) on Monday filed an affidavit and apprised the high court of Bombay at Goa about the steps taken for improving living conditions of the inmates of Apna Ghar, a children's protective home at Merces.

DWCD director Sanjiv Gadkar filed the affidavit in reply to a list of recommendations and immediate measures to be undertaken by the government as submitted before the court by amicus curiae Sandesh Padiyar on June 22.

The affidavit has been filed following a suo motu petition regarding the unhygienic conditions in which children at the Apna Ghar were forced to live.

The court had treated a report published in TOI on October 22, 2008, along with another report of the principal district and sessions judge, Panaji, as a public interest litigation and had appointed Padiyar as amicus curiae in the matter.

Gadkar has pointed out in his affidavit that as far as the security of the inmates is concerned, there are 20 caretakers and 4 security personnel at Apna Ghar. He also stated that two qualified counsellors would soon be appointed and revealed that the number of matrons and 'ayyas' has been increased to 7 and 14, respectively, from 3 of each.

Interestingly, the affidavit also disclosed "the inmates of the home often indulge in destructive activities and damage the furniture, fixtures, kitchen items including utensils, tables, etc, without any cause or reason".

Gadkar further stated that "it is difficult to prevent these activities as the inmates have access to these items and no control can be exercised for 24 hours of the day".

13 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition