Five buried alive in Porvorim
Case Slapped On Developers As Illegal Wall Falls
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Five migrant labourers were buried alive and eight injured, some of them seriously, when part of an allegedly illegal retaining wall came crashing down on three illegal structures in Porvorim. All the victims are migrant workers from Karnataka and Orissa and were staying at the site for the last two years. According to locals, the accident occurred at about 6 am on Sunday.
Officials present at the site said that the rooms were constructed by builders Savio D’Souza and Sandeep Kalangutkar in complete violation of PWD rules. A PWD official at the site said, “The retaining wall isn’t of the proper width and has not been constructed as per the required standard.”
Shantinagar ward panch member Kartik Kudnekar alleged that the tragedy was an example of the abject failure of the panchayat authorities to act on a resolution of the gram sabha to take action against the wall.
“On May 18, the gram sabha had passed a resolution to take action against the ‘illegal’ retaining wall. Though the permission for the wall was 1.5 metres, they had constructed a wall of over 6 metres,” admitted Socorro village panchayat secretary Peter Martin.
Martin added, “We had planned to conduct an inspection and then issue notices to the builder, but before that the tragedy struck. Everyone of us, including the government, is responsible for the tragedy.”
Meeting later on Sunday afternoon, the Socorro panchayat decided to ask Devashree to stop construction activity on the three buildings and the retaining wall. The builders have also been asked to produce all documents to the panchayat within three days. Besides, the panchayat has issued notices to D’- Souza and Kalangutkar to remove an illegal room and two toilets adjacent to the retaining wall.
The meeting was called by sarpanch Shital Arolkar and was attended by all 11 panch members who condemned the incident. They would soon be submitting a report to the block development officer.
North Goa additional collector Swapnil Naik said, “We have directed the police to file a complaint against Devashree Real Estate Developers, which built the retaining wall, as well as D’Souza and Kalangutkar, who allowed the workers to stay illegally.” The Porvorim police have registered a case against both builders. PWD to file report on mishap
Panaji: North Goa additional collector Swapnil Naik said they have asked the PWD to submit a technical report regarding the wall collapse in Provorim on Sunday that buried alive five labourers. Based on the report, the authorities would take further action.
“On the face of it, it appears that the labourers who were staying in the illegal structures had blocked the holes created in the retaining wall to release water. Due to this there was pressure on the wall and it collapsed,” added Naik.
Recollecting the incidents of the morning, Dinesh Gadekar, who lives a few metres from the place of tragedy said, “I heard a loud sound and few screams. I rushed out of the house and saw that part of the retaining wall had crushed the structures adjacent to my house and people were buried inside.” He immediately called the fire services and informed the panch. Construction labourers working at adjacent sites along with fire service personnel rescued those trapped in the debris. Among the dead was fivemonth pregnant woman Nagma (22) and her husband Umar Sab (26). Renuka Jadhav (32) and her daughter Madhavi (15) also died in the accident. However, husband Nagaraj and son Kamlesh (10) escaped with minor injuries. Another person, Ramesh Nayak (22), was brought dead to the hospital.
The injured – Ranjit Kanchan (20), Dilip Kumar (17), Jaffar (18), Ram Mordge (20) were admitted to Asilo hospital, Mapusa and some later shifted to GMC. Abdul and Fatima who were reportedly staying at the site are still missing.
Meanwhile, Devashree Real Estate Developers, who had built the retaining wall, has released compensation to the injured and deceased. “We have decided to give Rs one lakh to the deceased and Rs 25,000 as compensation to the injured,” said the main contractor Tony Fernandes.
June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, June 09, 2008
Trauma for victims at GMC
Trauma for victims at GMC
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Grit and bear as you read this. At about 8 am, Dilip Kumar who was seriously injured when a portion of a retaining wall collapsed on an illegal structure at Porvorim, was brought to Goa Medical College from Asilo hospital, Mapusa, without his being administered any first aid treatment.
When he arrived at the entrance of the casualty ward at the GMC, he was bleeding profusely, yet there was no way he could be taken into the ward.
The reason: there were neither trolleys nor wheel chairs available. The casualty and trauma ward has six trolleys and wheel chairs, but four trolleys were occupied by dead bodies.
As there was no trolley or wheelchair in sight, the personnel from the fire department lifted Kumar and took him into the casualty ward.
This, somebody lifting patients, happens often at the GMC, and if there is no help, then patients just wait till a trolley or wheel chair is free.
Once Kumar was inside the ward, the medical officers sprang into action, gave him first aid and diagnosed his condition as critical suspecting liver contusion (bleeding). An x-ray was required and, Kumar’s relatives not being present in the hospital, it was another long wait, until one of the two servants on duty was free to wheel a trolley and take the patient to the adjacent x-ray room,.
The manner in which his friend, Ranjith Kanchana (20), was brought to the casualty was no different. As if that was not enough, the casualty ward is severely understaffed. Of the sanctioned strength of six, there were only three doctors, some of them juggling between the casualty and trauma ward.
On an average, one doctor has to attend to about 40 to 50 emergency patients every day. Doctors revealed that though six posts of casualty medical officers were sanctioned in 2006, the file is pending with ty ward. “It is a fact that there is shortage of doctors in the casualty. We have sent a proposal to the government to have six more, regular posts,” said Dr Jindal.
Stating that there is no shortage of trolleys or wheel chairs, Dr Jindal said that once in a while when a large number of patients come, there is a problem. “But we are in the process of buying some more trolleys and wheel chairs,’’ he added.
the finance department.
Besides, there is no adequate infrastructure to take care of emergencies. “But we have a shortage of beds (8), I V stands (6) and there is no defibrillator (an emergency machine used to give shock treatment to the patient as a last resort, if he is to die),” said a doctor.
GMC dean Dr V N Jindal admitted that there is shortage of doctors in the casuality
June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Grit and bear as you read this. At about 8 am, Dilip Kumar who was seriously injured when a portion of a retaining wall collapsed on an illegal structure at Porvorim, was brought to Goa Medical College from Asilo hospital, Mapusa, without his being administered any first aid treatment.
When he arrived at the entrance of the casualty ward at the GMC, he was bleeding profusely, yet there was no way he could be taken into the ward.
The reason: there were neither trolleys nor wheel chairs available. The casualty and trauma ward has six trolleys and wheel chairs, but four trolleys were occupied by dead bodies.
As there was no trolley or wheelchair in sight, the personnel from the fire department lifted Kumar and took him into the casualty ward.
This, somebody lifting patients, happens often at the GMC, and if there is no help, then patients just wait till a trolley or wheel chair is free.
Once Kumar was inside the ward, the medical officers sprang into action, gave him first aid and diagnosed his condition as critical suspecting liver contusion (bleeding). An x-ray was required and, Kumar’s relatives not being present in the hospital, it was another long wait, until one of the two servants on duty was free to wheel a trolley and take the patient to the adjacent x-ray room,.
The manner in which his friend, Ranjith Kanchana (20), was brought to the casualty was no different. As if that was not enough, the casualty ward is severely understaffed. Of the sanctioned strength of six, there were only three doctors, some of them juggling between the casualty and trauma ward.
On an average, one doctor has to attend to about 40 to 50 emergency patients every day. Doctors revealed that though six posts of casualty medical officers were sanctioned in 2006, the file is pending with ty ward. “It is a fact that there is shortage of doctors in the casualty. We have sent a proposal to the government to have six more, regular posts,” said Dr Jindal.
Stating that there is no shortage of trolleys or wheel chairs, Dr Jindal said that once in a while when a large number of patients come, there is a problem. “But we are in the process of buying some more trolleys and wheel chairs,’’ he added.
the finance department.
Besides, there is no adequate infrastructure to take care of emergencies. “But we have a shortage of beds (8), I V stands (6) and there is no defibrillator (an emergency machine used to give shock treatment to the patient as a last resort, if he is to die),” said a doctor.
GMC dean Dr V N Jindal admitted that there is shortage of doctors in the casuality
June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
SP asks power dept to light up streets
SP asks power dept to light up streets
Burglars Have Field Day Under Cover Of Darkness
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: When it’s pitch dark and raining heavily, the most unwanted ‘creatures’ — burglars — are at work. This, because no one can hear them break into a house due to the sound of thunder and the darkness that provides them cover.
Alarmed by the spurt in theft cases and the cops’ failure in nabbing the culprits, North Goa superintendent of police has written a letter to the chief engineer of the electricity department requesting him to at least illuminate the streets.
“The burglars go about their task under the cover of darkness and the police are also helpless when it comes to tracing them,” said SP Bosco George regarding the increase in number of thefts over the last couple of days.
There is an increase in the number of theft cases during the monsoon.
In North Goa district alone, almost two cases of theft are reported everyday. In the last one week, nearly eight houses were burgled, most of which were locked. Besides, the burglars often strike in the dark.
It has also been noticed that the street lights do not work along the Betim-Porvorim stretch light up to O Coqueiro. This is dangerous to drivers, especially with the heavy downpour.
“We hope that the electricity department will respond to our request favourably,” added George.
The state has witnessed frequent power cuts at night in the last week and electricity department officials blame it on uprooted trees.
This, despite the fact that the department completes the pre-monsoon exercise of maintaining high tension wires and pruning of tree branches three months before the onset of the rains.
However, coming out in support of the electricity officials power minister Aleixo Sequeira says that there have been frequent power cuts because the state has been lashed by heavy rains and winds since the last 48 hours.
“The situation may not change much if this continues for another 24 to 48 hours . But, we are trying our best to provide power to each and every consumer,” said Sequeira.
He further said that they were having trouble because of uprooted tress that snap lines .
“Severe lightning is also playing havoc with the main high tension lines. Besides, there are so many accidents taking place,” he said
“Several vehicles crash into electricity poles thereby damaging the lines. Yet, we are trying our best to provide 24-hour power supply to our consumers,” added Sequeira.
June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Burglars Have Field Day Under Cover Of Darkness
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: When it’s pitch dark and raining heavily, the most unwanted ‘creatures’ — burglars — are at work. This, because no one can hear them break into a house due to the sound of thunder and the darkness that provides them cover.
Alarmed by the spurt in theft cases and the cops’ failure in nabbing the culprits, North Goa superintendent of police has written a letter to the chief engineer of the electricity department requesting him to at least illuminate the streets.
“The burglars go about their task under the cover of darkness and the police are also helpless when it comes to tracing them,” said SP Bosco George regarding the increase in number of thefts over the last couple of days.
There is an increase in the number of theft cases during the monsoon.
In North Goa district alone, almost two cases of theft are reported everyday. In the last one week, nearly eight houses were burgled, most of which were locked. Besides, the burglars often strike in the dark.
It has also been noticed that the street lights do not work along the Betim-Porvorim stretch light up to O Coqueiro. This is dangerous to drivers, especially with the heavy downpour.
“We hope that the electricity department will respond to our request favourably,” added George.
The state has witnessed frequent power cuts at night in the last week and electricity department officials blame it on uprooted trees.
This, despite the fact that the department completes the pre-monsoon exercise of maintaining high tension wires and pruning of tree branches three months before the onset of the rains.
However, coming out in support of the electricity officials power minister Aleixo Sequeira says that there have been frequent power cuts because the state has been lashed by heavy rains and winds since the last 48 hours.
“The situation may not change much if this continues for another 24 to 48 hours . But, we are trying our best to provide power to each and every consumer,” said Sequeira.
He further said that they were having trouble because of uprooted tress that snap lines .
“Severe lightning is also playing havoc with the main high tension lines. Besides, there are so many accidents taking place,” he said
“Several vehicles crash into electricity poles thereby damaging the lines. Yet, we are trying our best to provide 24-hour power supply to our consumers,” added Sequeira.
June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Of ‘stock’ panch witnesses
Of ‘stock’ panch witnesses
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In the Supriya Lotlikar murder case, the police had Amstrong Rodrigues and Leo Moraes who were crucial witnesses as they were present when the body was recovered by the police. However, the court termed them as “stock panch witnesses” and refused to place any reliance on their evidence.
The Supreme Court has contended that where a panch witness has stood as such a witness in 5 or 6 cases he was actually a stooge in the hands of the police and no reliance could be placed on the evidence.
Amstrong admitted in court that he had acted as a panch witness in two to three cases of the Margao police station and in two cases of the Cuncolim police station all pertaining to recovery panchanamas.
He also stood as a panch witness in about eight cases at Margao police station from 2002 to 2004.
The role of Leo was also under scrutiny especially after the case’s first investigating officer police sub inspector Sudesh Naik stating saying he didn’t remember seeing Leo or Amstrong at the spot when the body was recovered.
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In the Supriya Lotlikar murder case, the police had Amstrong Rodrigues and Leo Moraes who were crucial witnesses as they were present when the body was recovered by the police. However, the court termed them as “stock panch witnesses” and refused to place any reliance on their evidence.
The Supreme Court has contended that where a panch witness has stood as such a witness in 5 or 6 cases he was actually a stooge in the hands of the police and no reliance could be placed on the evidence.
Amstrong admitted in court that he had acted as a panch witness in two to three cases of the Margao police station and in two cases of the Cuncolim police station all pertaining to recovery panchanamas.
He also stood as a panch witness in about eight cases at Margao police station from 2002 to 2004.
The role of Leo was also under scrutiny especially after the case’s first investigating officer police sub inspector Sudesh Naik stating saying he didn’t remember seeing Leo or Amstrong at the spot when the body was recovered.
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Casual investigation’ of a murder
‘Casual investigation’ of a murder
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Supriya Lotlikar murder, Margao's most sensational killing in 2004, saw accused, husband Deepesh Raiker, acquitted on June 2 this year. While passing the order, the division bench of the High Court of Bombay at Goa observed: “It appears that the investigations were carried out in a most casual manner and is one of the reasons the accused deserves to be given benefit of doubt”.
On February 26, 2004, Supriya a lab technician received a call and left her workplace. A missing person's report was filed the following day. Raiker was arrested for Supriya's murder five days later.
As the gruesome crime came to light — Supriya had been hit on the forehead, smothered and buried at Gogol by the side of a compound wall next to the eastern bye-pass highway — police claimed Raiker, who had a civil marriage with her, committed the crime as he didn't want to “marry” Supriya and had an illicit relationship with another woman. Police later arrested the woman for conspiring to the murder, but she was acquitted by an additional sessions court.
Sifting the evidence, the high court observed, “Not only did the prosecution fail to produce any evidence in court to even remotely suggest that Deepesh had any special relationship, much less an affair or illicit one with the woman, it couldn't even produce any evidence to prove that the relationship between Deepesh and Supriya was strained. On the contrary there is sufficient evidence to conclude that she was happy.”
Commenting on a crucial missing link in the chain of evidence, the court said that once it was established that none had seen the accused and the deceased going together on the fateful day, the least which was expected on the part of police officers Sudesh Naik or for that matter Shirwaikar was to have found out the source of the telephone call, “which for reasons best known to him, Shirwaikar did not do as an investigation officer (IO)”.
Pointing out the lapses in the probe with regards a gold chain and ear studs found on the deceased the court noted, “It was certainly expected of the IO to have seized the said gold chain and studs for the purpose of further investigations and not hand over the same to the brother of the deceased. These are but serious lapses on the part of the IO.”
As the weapon used for murder was not recovered, the court observed, “If it was the case of the prosecution that the deceased was assaulted on her forehead causing her injury and then strangulated, then it was expected on the part of the IO to have made some effort to find out with what weapon the deceased was assaulted; but there is total silence in that regard.” The court also dismissed the police theory of recovering Supriya's body, as a clear case of manipulation. “Considering the location and manner the body was found in it is quite probable that the existence of the body at the place was known to the police through other sources and the story of discovery could be fabricated only with the assistance of a pliable witness,” the court noted.
To the prosecution’s theory that Deepesh and his alleged girlfriend had conspired to murder Supriya, the court observed, “There is nothing to connect the accused to the murder of the deceased and the proof of motive fell to the ground with the discharge of (the woman) by the Additional Sessions Judge, Margao on August 12, 2004.”
The Court further observed that if Deepesh wanted to marry another “he could have always got his marriage with Surpiya annulled and there was no reason to strangulate and murder her.”
Further, the police’s case had also got support from the confession of “star witness” accused Bijay Singh, involved in another murder case, who was sharing prison space with Deepesh. Bijay had informed the police on March 6 that two or three days prior, Deepesh had confessed to him about the crime.But the court dismissed his statement observing “the confession made by the accused when he is in police lock-up either to a police officer or to any other person is inadmissible.”
Trail of an inquest
November 24, 2003: Deepesh Raiker and Supriya Lotlikar have a civil marriage
February 26, 2004: At 2.45 pm, Supriya receives a call. She goes out from her place of work
February 26, 2004: At 10.30 pm, her brother Sanjiv and father Manohar along with her employer search for her. Deepesh searches on his bike
February 27, 2004: At about 1.40 pm a missing person report is lodged. Deepesh doesn’t come to the police station
March 2, 2004: Raiker is arrested for Supriya’s murder. Later his alleged girlfriend with whom police say he had conspired the murder, is also arrested. Another person who was in police custody (in a theft case) with Raiker, but was released on bail, is also arrested for trying to dispose of Supriya’s body allegedly on Raiker's instructions
March 6, 2006: Additional Sessions Judge, Margao acquits the alleged girlfriend and man. It observed that there was no evidence to create even reasonable doubt about the woman’s complicity in any offence and the prosecution failed to prove the involvement of the man in destroying the evidence. Both orders were not challenged by the prosecution. However, Raiker was sentenced to life imprisonment and 7 years rigorous imprisonment
June 5, 2006: Raiker files an appeal in the High Court
June 2, 2008: As case is based on circumstantial evidence that prosecution failed to prove, the accused is acquitted
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Supriya Lotlikar murder, Margao's most sensational killing in 2004, saw accused, husband Deepesh Raiker, acquitted on June 2 this year. While passing the order, the division bench of the High Court of Bombay at Goa observed: “It appears that the investigations were carried out in a most casual manner and is one of the reasons the accused deserves to be given benefit of doubt”.
On February 26, 2004, Supriya a lab technician received a call and left her workplace. A missing person's report was filed the following day. Raiker was arrested for Supriya's murder five days later.
As the gruesome crime came to light — Supriya had been hit on the forehead, smothered and buried at Gogol by the side of a compound wall next to the eastern bye-pass highway — police claimed Raiker, who had a civil marriage with her, committed the crime as he didn't want to “marry” Supriya and had an illicit relationship with another woman. Police later arrested the woman for conspiring to the murder, but she was acquitted by an additional sessions court.
Sifting the evidence, the high court observed, “Not only did the prosecution fail to produce any evidence in court to even remotely suggest that Deepesh had any special relationship, much less an affair or illicit one with the woman, it couldn't even produce any evidence to prove that the relationship between Deepesh and Supriya was strained. On the contrary there is sufficient evidence to conclude that she was happy.”
Commenting on a crucial missing link in the chain of evidence, the court said that once it was established that none had seen the accused and the deceased going together on the fateful day, the least which was expected on the part of police officers Sudesh Naik or for that matter Shirwaikar was to have found out the source of the telephone call, “which for reasons best known to him, Shirwaikar did not do as an investigation officer (IO)”.
Pointing out the lapses in the probe with regards a gold chain and ear studs found on the deceased the court noted, “It was certainly expected of the IO to have seized the said gold chain and studs for the purpose of further investigations and not hand over the same to the brother of the deceased. These are but serious lapses on the part of the IO.”
As the weapon used for murder was not recovered, the court observed, “If it was the case of the prosecution that the deceased was assaulted on her forehead causing her injury and then strangulated, then it was expected on the part of the IO to have made some effort to find out with what weapon the deceased was assaulted; but there is total silence in that regard.” The court also dismissed the police theory of recovering Supriya's body, as a clear case of manipulation. “Considering the location and manner the body was found in it is quite probable that the existence of the body at the place was known to the police through other sources and the story of discovery could be fabricated only with the assistance of a pliable witness,” the court noted.
To the prosecution’s theory that Deepesh and his alleged girlfriend had conspired to murder Supriya, the court observed, “There is nothing to connect the accused to the murder of the deceased and the proof of motive fell to the ground with the discharge of (the woman) by the Additional Sessions Judge, Margao on August 12, 2004.”
The Court further observed that if Deepesh wanted to marry another “he could have always got his marriage with Surpiya annulled and there was no reason to strangulate and murder her.”
Further, the police’s case had also got support from the confession of “star witness” accused Bijay Singh, involved in another murder case, who was sharing prison space with Deepesh. Bijay had informed the police on March 6 that two or three days prior, Deepesh had confessed to him about the crime.But the court dismissed his statement observing “the confession made by the accused when he is in police lock-up either to a police officer or to any other person is inadmissible.”
Trail of an inquest
November 24, 2003: Deepesh Raiker and Supriya Lotlikar have a civil marriage
February 26, 2004: At 2.45 pm, Supriya receives a call. She goes out from her place of work
February 26, 2004: At 10.30 pm, her brother Sanjiv and father Manohar along with her employer search for her. Deepesh searches on his bike
February 27, 2004: At about 1.40 pm a missing person report is lodged. Deepesh doesn’t come to the police station
March 2, 2004: Raiker is arrested for Supriya’s murder. Later his alleged girlfriend with whom police say he had conspired the murder, is also arrested. Another person who was in police custody (in a theft case) with Raiker, but was released on bail, is also arrested for trying to dispose of Supriya’s body allegedly on Raiker's instructions
March 6, 2006: Additional Sessions Judge, Margao acquits the alleged girlfriend and man. It observed that there was no evidence to create even reasonable doubt about the woman’s complicity in any offence and the prosecution failed to prove the involvement of the man in destroying the evidence. Both orders were not challenged by the prosecution. However, Raiker was sentenced to life imprisonment and 7 years rigorous imprisonment
June 5, 2006: Raiker files an appeal in the High Court
June 2, 2008: As case is based on circumstantial evidence that prosecution failed to prove, the accused is acquitted
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Candolim bar owner’s killer held after 2 years
Candolim bar owner’s killer held after 2 years
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Two years after the gruesome and baffling murder of restaurateur Anuj Joshi at his home, barely a few yards from the Calangute police station, the police on Saturday said they have finally arrested the man who killed him.
North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George said that Somnath Shelar alias Raju Samanth from Pune has confessed that he had killed Joshi on the morning of July 2, 2006. The police had arrested Shelar, who had arrived in the state with three friends on Saturday morning, from a Saligao restaurant. The motive for Joshi’s murder, police said, was revenge.
Joshi, 43, was found dead on the first floor bedroom of his hillside bungalow with his throat slashed on July 2. The restauranteur had returned home around 3.30 am after closing The Bar, a very popular pub and watering hole for tourists as well as locals.
“During interrogation we learnt that Shelar was upset with Joshi because he was caught by Joshi trying to steal from his house in 2005. He was jailed for seven months at Aguada jail, where he swore revenge,” said SP George.
Police said the accused had murdered Joshi using a heavy hammer and knife. “He hit the hammer on his head and then slit open Anuj’s throat with a knife,” said police.
According to the police, the accused who is involved in several cases of burglary in Pune and Goa, arrived in Goa on Saturday along with three friends. “It is a gang of four, and all are involved in criminal activities in Pune and Goa,” Calangute police said. The gang was picked up from a restaurant in Saligao where they were having a drink.
The police have ruled out the involvement of the other three gang members in Joshi’s murder. “We had information about the gang and suspected Shelar’s involvement in Joshi’s murder. During interrogations he admitted his crime,” added the police.
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Two years after the gruesome and baffling murder of restaurateur Anuj Joshi at his home, barely a few yards from the Calangute police station, the police on Saturday said they have finally arrested the man who killed him.
North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George said that Somnath Shelar alias Raju Samanth from Pune has confessed that he had killed Joshi on the morning of July 2, 2006. The police had arrested Shelar, who had arrived in the state with three friends on Saturday morning, from a Saligao restaurant. The motive for Joshi’s murder, police said, was revenge.
Joshi, 43, was found dead on the first floor bedroom of his hillside bungalow with his throat slashed on July 2. The restauranteur had returned home around 3.30 am after closing The Bar, a very popular pub and watering hole for tourists as well as locals.
“During interrogation we learnt that Shelar was upset with Joshi because he was caught by Joshi trying to steal from his house in 2005. He was jailed for seven months at Aguada jail, where he swore revenge,” said SP George.
Police said the accused had murdered Joshi using a heavy hammer and knife. “He hit the hammer on his head and then slit open Anuj’s throat with a knife,” said police.
According to the police, the accused who is involved in several cases of burglary in Pune and Goa, arrived in Goa on Saturday along with three friends. “It is a gang of four, and all are involved in criminal activities in Pune and Goa,” Calangute police said. The gang was picked up from a restaurant in Saligao where they were having a drink.
The police have ruled out the involvement of the other three gang members in Joshi’s murder. “We had information about the gang and suspected Shelar’s involvement in Joshi’s murder. During interrogations he admitted his crime,” added the police.
June 8, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Free drugs for AIDS patients
Free drugs for AIDS patients
13 Detected With The Disease Each Month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: HIV/AIDS patients in Goa have a reason to smile. The state government is now in the process of introducing free second-line lifesaving antiretroviral treatments (ART), including drugs for opportunistic infections. However, the medicines would be available only to those who seek treatment in government hospitals or ART centres.
Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has put up a proposal to the state government requesting them to provide free second line antiretroviral treatment drugs. “We have sent a proposal to the state government after this issue was discussed in the executive council meeting on May 2,” said GSACS project director Dr Pradeep Padwal.
The NGOs working towards better HIV/AIDS treatment and care have been pressing for this from the state government, especially since National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) doesn’t provide free second-line anti-retroviral drugs. Besides, in the year 2007, the HIV patients also didn’t get the drugs for opportunistic infections free of cost, as GSACS didn’t receive any quotation from suppliers.
“But from now on drugs for opportunistic infections would be supplied through NACO and 75 per cent of it would go to the ART centres,” said a GSACS official.
On an average 13 people per month are detected with HIV in the coastal villages of Bardez, Tiswadi, Mormugao and Salcete alone and it would benefit not only those infected with HIV and susceptible to opportunistic infections, but also the 503 patients put on ART, besides the six AIDS patients put on second line of treatment.
“The number of people in need of second-line treatment and opportunistic infections drugs are only going to increase, making access to them a necessity and not a luxury,” said Mahesh from an NGO Zindagi.
However, if implemented immediately, the government would have to spare at least Rs 12 lakh a year, for the six patients who have been put on second line of ART. Officials at GSACS inform that if the cost of medicines for a patient put on first line of treatment is Rs 8000 per year, the expense on medicine for those on second line of treatment is Rs 8000 per month.
But the NGOs feel that the government should help the HIV positive persons. “Since very few patients can afford the cost of the second-line ART or opportunistic infections drugs. As the drugs are largely unaffordable and unavailable, government should plan for the future and not be short-sighted while giving the drugs,” said Jaffer Inamdar, a person living with HIV/AIDS.
June 7, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
13 Detected With The Disease Each Month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: HIV/AIDS patients in Goa have a reason to smile. The state government is now in the process of introducing free second-line lifesaving antiretroviral treatments (ART), including drugs for opportunistic infections. However, the medicines would be available only to those who seek treatment in government hospitals or ART centres.
Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has put up a proposal to the state government requesting them to provide free second line antiretroviral treatment drugs. “We have sent a proposal to the state government after this issue was discussed in the executive council meeting on May 2,” said GSACS project director Dr Pradeep Padwal.
The NGOs working towards better HIV/AIDS treatment and care have been pressing for this from the state government, especially since National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) doesn’t provide free second-line anti-retroviral drugs. Besides, in the year 2007, the HIV patients also didn’t get the drugs for opportunistic infections free of cost, as GSACS didn’t receive any quotation from suppliers.
“But from now on drugs for opportunistic infections would be supplied through NACO and 75 per cent of it would go to the ART centres,” said a GSACS official.
On an average 13 people per month are detected with HIV in the coastal villages of Bardez, Tiswadi, Mormugao and Salcete alone and it would benefit not only those infected with HIV and susceptible to opportunistic infections, but also the 503 patients put on ART, besides the six AIDS patients put on second line of treatment.
“The number of people in need of second-line treatment and opportunistic infections drugs are only going to increase, making access to them a necessity and not a luxury,” said Mahesh from an NGO Zindagi.
However, if implemented immediately, the government would have to spare at least Rs 12 lakh a year, for the six patients who have been put on second line of ART. Officials at GSACS inform that if the cost of medicines for a patient put on first line of treatment is Rs 8000 per year, the expense on medicine for those on second line of treatment is Rs 8000 per month.
But the NGOs feel that the government should help the HIV positive persons. “Since very few patients can afford the cost of the second-line ART or opportunistic infections drugs. As the drugs are largely unaffordable and unavailable, government should plan for the future and not be short-sighted while giving the drugs,” said Jaffer Inamdar, a person living with HIV/AIDS.
June 7, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
It’s raining thieves in the state this monsoon
It’s raining thieves in the state this monsoon
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Calangute police recently received a complaint from residents of Saligao stating that on June 4, burglars entered their house and stole Rs 1.5 lakh worth of goods.
A day earlier, another person had also lodged a complaint with the Calangute police that burglars broke into two separate rooms between June 2 and June 4 and escaped with goods worth Rs 35,000.
At Pernem police station, one Anand Naik complained that on June 4, some unknown persons committed theft of Rs 30,000. The police admit to the spurt of theft cases during the monsoon. “In North Goa, at least two theft cases are reported everyday”, said SP Bosco George.
He said that there is an increase in house thefts, especially in those that are continually locked. The police will soon carry out another check on rising rate of thefts.The Porvorim police has already detained 14 people from the slums of Ramnagar, Betim.
Even the Old Goa police has verified the credentials of about 40 people taking shelter in the slums of Chimbel. Besides, the police have made a list of all active criminals who had been imprisioned and are trying to track them.
“We are also keeping a check on footpaths and campuses. These are places where burglars normally take shelter,” added SP George.
June 7, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Calangute police recently received a complaint from residents of Saligao stating that on June 4, burglars entered their house and stole Rs 1.5 lakh worth of goods.
A day earlier, another person had also lodged a complaint with the Calangute police that burglars broke into two separate rooms between June 2 and June 4 and escaped with goods worth Rs 35,000.
At Pernem police station, one Anand Naik complained that on June 4, some unknown persons committed theft of Rs 30,000. The police admit to the spurt of theft cases during the monsoon. “In North Goa, at least two theft cases are reported everyday”, said SP Bosco George.
He said that there is an increase in house thefts, especially in those that are continually locked. The police will soon carry out another check on rising rate of thefts.The Porvorim police has already detained 14 people from the slums of Ramnagar, Betim.
Even the Old Goa police has verified the credentials of about 40 people taking shelter in the slums of Chimbel. Besides, the police have made a list of all active criminals who had been imprisioned and are trying to track them.
“We are also keeping a check on footpaths and campuses. These are places where burglars normally take shelter,” added SP George.
June 7, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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