Mike Masala rues being witness in Scarlett case
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: British national Michael Mannion, a crucial eyewitness in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case, has advised all British nationals never to volunteer to depose in India if they are a witness to a crime.
Unhappy with the way he has been treated by the police, Mannion said, “I am quite disappointed. As a witness I had volunteered to assist the prosecution and had complied with every directive of the investigating agency. I will certainly not recommend any British national to ever come forward and depose on matters if he or she is ever a witness to the crime.”
Mannion, 35, popularly known as Mike Masala in Anjuna, is the main witness in the teenager’s rape and murder and has deposed before the police that he had seen Samson D’Souza, a bartender (one of the two accused) lying atop Scarlett on the night of Scarlett’s death. Mannion, who left Goa a little after Scarlett’s bruised body was found on Anjuna beach on February 18, had stated that he feared for his life from Samson and therefore left the state, but not the country. In March, he appeared before superintendent of police (North) Bosco George to depose in the case only after a lookout notice was posted, barring his leaving the country. This was done after Manion approached the British consulate in Mumbai saying that he has vital information in the case and needed protection. SCARLETT KEELING CASE
Mannion irked for being detained in Goa
Panaji: British national, Michael Mannion, a crucial eyewitness in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case,
lamented that despite having recorded his statement before the police, the police have not allowed him to go back to his country.
“I was promised by the Goa police that immediately after my deposition and statements, I would be permitted to go home. Having named the accused in my statements, I now fear for my life and I have also informed the Goa police that my father is on his death bed and as a son I want to be with him. Despite this, I have not been allowed to go,” said Mannion. Giving Manion moral and emotional support is his brother Paul.
“I had always wanted to come forward to depose for the sake of justice, but when I think of the stress I have undergone as a witness and the fact that I can’t attend to my sick father, I do regret my decision to depose in the case,” Manion added.
June 19, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Goa;Irked DGP lashes out at police complaint panel
Irked DGP lashes out at police complaint panel
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) is acting beyond its jurisdiction and eroding the very foundations of the criminal justice system through its interference in the day-to-day administrative functioning of and investigations by the police, the director general of police has complained to the chief secretary in a confidential letter.
The letter was sent by DGP B S Brar to the chief secretary on June 9 requesting the state government to take immediate steps to prevent the collapse of the police administration and to maintain the sanctity of the criminal justice system as the conflict between the police and SPCA had reached “grave proportions” due to “constant and vehement interference” by the SPCA.
The SPCA was set up under a directive from the Supreme Court , which while defining the role of SPCA said it was to “take cognisance of only allegations of serious misconduct by police personnel which would include incidents involving deaths, grievous hurt or rape in police custody. The district level complaint authority would, apart from the above cases, also inquire into allegations of extortion, land and house grabbing or any incident involving serious abuse of authority”.
Chief secretary J P Singh admitted receiving the complaint. “The government is examining the matter in consultation with all concerned,” he said.
The DGP said that the criminal justice system consisting of the police, prosecution and the judiciary is being bypassed. “The CrPC has empowered the police and competent courts with various statutory powers which are being unlawfully disregarded. This will lead to the breakdown of the criminal justice system as envisaged under the law, including the CrPC,” he said.
The DGP also complained that the SPCA is admitting all kinds of applications and calling police officers, even of the rank of SP, who are then paraded, humiliated, pressurised in front of frivolous complainants, few of whom have been accused of serious offenses, including murder, or have been booked under the explosives act. “Inquiries conducted by SPCA are now taking the shape of trials where the police officers are treated as accused,” the letter said.
If the SPCA continues to call officers and other policemen in all types of complaints, it will not only erode the moral authority of the body, but also adversely affect the noble and lofty intentions of the SC to bring objectivity in policing, the DGP said.
June 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) is acting beyond its jurisdiction and eroding the very foundations of the criminal justice system through its interference in the day-to-day administrative functioning of and investigations by the police, the director general of police has complained to the chief secretary in a confidential letter.
The letter was sent by DGP B S Brar to the chief secretary on June 9 requesting the state government to take immediate steps to prevent the collapse of the police administration and to maintain the sanctity of the criminal justice system as the conflict between the police and SPCA had reached “grave proportions” due to “constant and vehement interference” by the SPCA.
The SPCA was set up under a directive from the Supreme Court , which while defining the role of SPCA said it was to “take cognisance of only allegations of serious misconduct by police personnel which would include incidents involving deaths, grievous hurt or rape in police custody. The district level complaint authority would, apart from the above cases, also inquire into allegations of extortion, land and house grabbing or any incident involving serious abuse of authority”.
Chief secretary J P Singh admitted receiving the complaint. “The government is examining the matter in consultation with all concerned,” he said.
The DGP said that the criminal justice system consisting of the police, prosecution and the judiciary is being bypassed. “The CrPC has empowered the police and competent courts with various statutory powers which are being unlawfully disregarded. This will lead to the breakdown of the criminal justice system as envisaged under the law, including the CrPC,” he said.
The DGP also complained that the SPCA is admitting all kinds of applications and calling police officers, even of the rank of SP, who are then paraded, humiliated, pressurised in front of frivolous complainants, few of whom have been accused of serious offenses, including murder, or have been booked under the explosives act. “Inquiries conducted by SPCA are now taking the shape of trials where the police officers are treated as accused,” the letter said.
If the SPCA continues to call officers and other policemen in all types of complaints, it will not only erode the moral authority of the body, but also adversely affect the noble and lofty intentions of the SC to bring objectivity in policing, the DGP said.
June 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa;Drug traffickers get smart
Drug traffickers get smart
Mafia Constantly Invents New Ways To Evade The Law
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa is not just an epicentre, where drugs are sold at rave and trance parties, but now Goa has become a transit point for drugs, from where it is shipped out to European countries and even neighbouring states.
“Inter-state and inter-country drug trafficking has raised serious concerns for us in Goa and it has serious ramifications. While the police have borders, drug dealers have no borders,” said DGP BS Brar.
The Goa police has finally woken up to the fact that there is an urgent need to check trafficking of narcotic drugs from Goa to other states and out of the country and have requested the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to set-up its unit in the state. Customs officials agree that in keeping with the trend, the drug traffickers are coming up with innovative ideas to escape the law. “Not only are they using minors as 'mules' and carbonised suitcases to export their drugs to Europe”, said a custom official, these drugs -- charas, heroin and cocaine are either taken by air from Mumbai or through chartered flights by European "passengers", whose complete trip and stay in Goa is sponsored by the well-networked drug mafia, the officials informed.
Unsold drugs like coke or cocaine and MDMA have a shelf life of 500 days and once the season is over, the demand in Goa is less. “The remaining drugs are exported out of the country,” said a cop from Anti-Narcotic Cell.
Carbonised compartments fitted in suitcases and bags hamper the detection of drugs, added customs official. “There is not a single officer or sepoy in the narcotics cell of the Customs department. We have just one superintendent, who has additional responsibilty. This is the situation since the last two years,” added Customs official.
Interestingly, according to the custom officials, while European “passengers” take the charter flights, the Isarelis lure young girls or women, who are addicted to drugs, to carry a “consignment” for a friend.
In return, they are promised a free trip. Take the case of an Italian minor girl who was caught at the Dabolim airport in Goa with ecstasy tablets and MDMA drugs on March 14, 2006.She was due to board an Indian Airlines flight to Mumbai enroute to Auckland (New Zealand) via Singapore and the whole trip was sponsored. She was arrested under the NDPS Act and sent to Apna Ghar, Merces.
In 2007, about 70 kgs of narcotic drugs were recovered by the police in North Goa and about 30 drug peddlers were arrested.
Admitting the trend, SP (Anti Narcotic Cell) Omprakash Kurtarkar said, "Wherever there is demand, there is supply. Outsourcing of drugs from Goa to other states or even out
OUTSOURCING DRUGS
TRICK 1: Using carbonised suitcases Method: Suitcases are purchased and 4 locals in Anjuna expertise in putting carbonized compartments in the suitcase. Drugs are stored in a carbonized compartment, then screened for any errors by using a personal Xray machine. Rs 1 to 2 lakh for packing 5 to 10 kg of charas. To pack, 1 to 2 kg of cocaine, the price is Rs 5 to 10 lakh. This was exposed when the minor Italian girl was caught at the Dabolim airport with the drug consignment TRICK 2: Using minor girls or women Method: Drug is stored in condoms and put in the vagina of the girl and trafficked abroad. It is also stored in special carbonated boxes, manufactured in Mumbai and packed into hollow arti-facts. TRICK 3: Pill will Method: Ecstasy pills are mixed with calcium tablets.
June 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Mafia Constantly Invents New Ways To Evade The Law
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa is not just an epicentre, where drugs are sold at rave and trance parties, but now Goa has become a transit point for drugs, from where it is shipped out to European countries and even neighbouring states.
“Inter-state and inter-country drug trafficking has raised serious concerns for us in Goa and it has serious ramifications. While the police have borders, drug dealers have no borders,” said DGP BS Brar.
The Goa police has finally woken up to the fact that there is an urgent need to check trafficking of narcotic drugs from Goa to other states and out of the country and have requested the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to set-up its unit in the state. Customs officials agree that in keeping with the trend, the drug traffickers are coming up with innovative ideas to escape the law. “Not only are they using minors as 'mules' and carbonised suitcases to export their drugs to Europe”, said a custom official, these drugs -- charas, heroin and cocaine are either taken by air from Mumbai or through chartered flights by European "passengers", whose complete trip and stay in Goa is sponsored by the well-networked drug mafia, the officials informed.
Unsold drugs like coke or cocaine and MDMA have a shelf life of 500 days and once the season is over, the demand in Goa is less. “The remaining drugs are exported out of the country,” said a cop from Anti-Narcotic Cell.
Carbonised compartments fitted in suitcases and bags hamper the detection of drugs, added customs official. “There is not a single officer or sepoy in the narcotics cell of the Customs department. We have just one superintendent, who has additional responsibilty. This is the situation since the last two years,” added Customs official.
Interestingly, according to the custom officials, while European “passengers” take the charter flights, the Isarelis lure young girls or women, who are addicted to drugs, to carry a “consignment” for a friend.
In return, they are promised a free trip. Take the case of an Italian minor girl who was caught at the Dabolim airport in Goa with ecstasy tablets and MDMA drugs on March 14, 2006.She was due to board an Indian Airlines flight to Mumbai enroute to Auckland (New Zealand) via Singapore and the whole trip was sponsored. She was arrested under the NDPS Act and sent to Apna Ghar, Merces.
In 2007, about 70 kgs of narcotic drugs were recovered by the police in North Goa and about 30 drug peddlers were arrested.
Admitting the trend, SP (Anti Narcotic Cell) Omprakash Kurtarkar said, "Wherever there is demand, there is supply. Outsourcing of drugs from Goa to other states or even out
OUTSOURCING DRUGS
TRICK 1: Using carbonised suitcases Method: Suitcases are purchased and 4 locals in Anjuna expertise in putting carbonized compartments in the suitcase. Drugs are stored in a carbonized compartment, then screened for any errors by using a personal Xray machine. Rs 1 to 2 lakh for packing 5 to 10 kg of charas. To pack, 1 to 2 kg of cocaine, the price is Rs 5 to 10 lakh. This was exposed when the minor Italian girl was caught at the Dabolim airport with the drug consignment TRICK 2: Using minor girls or women Method: Drug is stored in condoms and put in the vagina of the girl and trafficked abroad. It is also stored in special carbonated boxes, manufactured in Mumbai and packed into hollow arti-facts. TRICK 3: Pill will Method: Ecstasy pills are mixed with calcium tablets.
June 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa:Frequent power cuts lead to rise in inverter sales
Frequent power cuts lead to rise in inverter sales
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Frequent power cuts in the state have sent people scrambling to suppliers of inverters, raising sales to 650 per cent as compared to around five years ago.
“There is a huge demand for the appliance as people are increasingly complaining of erratic electricity supply. I have been installing three to four inverters per day this monsoon,” said Vasco Dias of Superlife Battery Agencies, Panaji.
As the state witnesses frequent power cuts, especially at night and with the electricity department officials unable to act instantly to restore power, inverters have become a necessity rather than a luxury. “It is now popular amongst the middle class, for whom an inverter has become indispensable,” said Steve Gomes of Milson Batteries.
According to suppliers, sales of inverters that were just about 200 per year about five years back have risen to more than 1500 in a year, a 650 per cent rise in sales. The highest selling inverter for households
is the 800 VA model that can keep three fans, six tube lights and a television running. This appliance costs approximately Rs 19,000 with a recognised battery brand.
Higher income groups opt for the 2.5 KVA model inverters, which can supply power to 10 fans, 16 tube lights and two televisions. This model costs between Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000.
All inverters can provide backup electricity of up to three hours.
“We have frequent power cuts during the monsoon and use the inverter almost daily. With the failure of the government to provide uninterrupted power supply, we si ply need inverters,” said Anand Madgavkar a resident of Dona Paula.
Added Lucio D’Sa from Ribandar, “I purchased an inverter because of my children. When the lights go out they can’t study. In the monsoon its all the more important to have an inverter.”
“The fear of power failure and uncertainty about when the power supply will be restored has encouraged people to invest in inverters. We sell two to three everyday during monsoon,” reiterated Nikhil Shah of Crown Electronics, Panaji.
“With the growing demand, inverter companies have also come in with sleek and technically advanced appliances that ensure 100 per cent safety,” added Gomes. Cashing in on the rise in interest of inverters, suppliers in Goa are offering free installation and trolleys.
June 17, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Frequent power cuts in the state have sent people scrambling to suppliers of inverters, raising sales to 650 per cent as compared to around five years ago.
“There is a huge demand for the appliance as people are increasingly complaining of erratic electricity supply. I have been installing three to four inverters per day this monsoon,” said Vasco Dias of Superlife Battery Agencies, Panaji.
As the state witnesses frequent power cuts, especially at night and with the electricity department officials unable to act instantly to restore power, inverters have become a necessity rather than a luxury. “It is now popular amongst the middle class, for whom an inverter has become indispensable,” said Steve Gomes of Milson Batteries.
According to suppliers, sales of inverters that were just about 200 per year about five years back have risen to more than 1500 in a year, a 650 per cent rise in sales. The highest selling inverter for households
is the 800 VA model that can keep three fans, six tube lights and a television running. This appliance costs approximately Rs 19,000 with a recognised battery brand.
Higher income groups opt for the 2.5 KVA model inverters, which can supply power to 10 fans, 16 tube lights and two televisions. This model costs between Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000.
All inverters can provide backup electricity of up to three hours.
“We have frequent power cuts during the monsoon and use the inverter almost daily. With the failure of the government to provide uninterrupted power supply, we si ply need inverters,” said Anand Madgavkar a resident of Dona Paula.
Added Lucio D’Sa from Ribandar, “I purchased an inverter because of my children. When the lights go out they can’t study. In the monsoon its all the more important to have an inverter.”
“The fear of power failure and uncertainty about when the power supply will be restored has encouraged people to invest in inverters. We sell two to three everyday during monsoon,” reiterated Nikhil Shah of Crown Electronics, Panaji.
“With the growing demand, inverter companies have also come in with sleek and technically advanced appliances that ensure 100 per cent safety,” added Gomes. Cashing in on the rise in interest of inverters, suppliers in Goa are offering free installation and trolleys.
June 17, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa- Crackdown on quacks in state
TAKING STOCK
Crackdown on quacks in state
20 Docs Reprimanded, Five Issued Notice
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The treatment involved just a few tablets and maybe a cough syrup.
But what the patient, a 10-year-old girl got was Decdak, a steroid, given to patients suffering from acute rheumatic conditions, bronchial attacks or fatal cardiac conditions.
The 10-year-old joins the increasing number of patients who are ‘treated’ by quacks, only to get into bigger complications.
When she developed cold and fever, her parents took her to a ‘physician and surgeon’ in Sanquelim.
“For every MBBS doctor in the state, there are two quacks running successful private practice,” said Disciplinary and Ethics Committee chairman Dr Ulhas Karpe.
According to Dr Karpe, they mainly operate in the villages.
“They carry out practice especially in villages of Canacona, Paryem, Mollem, Keri, Cuncolim, Valpoi and Honda, where the of government clinics are less,” said Dr Karpe.
Alarmed with the increase in incidents of quackery and cross practice by unqualified persons in the state, the Goa Medical Council (GMC) at its meeting in December 2007 decided to appoint Dr Karpe and conduct a survey to collect information regarding such quacks.
It was also decided to issue notices to them (quacks), conduct inquiries and then take appropriate action.
“During the survey, we learnt that there were two types of people indulging in quackery in the state — ayurvedic and homeopathic graduates prescribing allopathic drugs and persons having no medical qualification, doing medical practice,” said Dr Karpe.
He added that the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has already filed a case against one ‘quack,’ reprimanded about 20 doctors and sent notices to five. “And, the list is still increasing,” insists Dr Karpe. During the survey the committee also learnt that there were some ‘doctors’ who ran successful practices and
charged anything between Rs 70 and Rs 200 as fees.
It was also shocking to learn that they did not even complete high school.
Take the case of a mother and son have a roaring medical practice in Indiranagar.
“While the mother calls herself a “ladies’ specialist” and has no qualification, the son, armed with a diploma degree in health care treats men in the area. This is illegal,” said Dr Karpe.
The Goa Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 2005 clearly states that those falsely claiming to be registered and using titles or degrees without authority can be punished and convicted with a fine that may extend up to Rs 50,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both.
“Though the law is in place, there nothing is being done,” added Dr Karpe.
June 16, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Crackdown on quacks in state
20 Docs Reprimanded, Five Issued Notice
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The treatment involved just a few tablets and maybe a cough syrup.
But what the patient, a 10-year-old girl got was Decdak, a steroid, given to patients suffering from acute rheumatic conditions, bronchial attacks or fatal cardiac conditions.
The 10-year-old joins the increasing number of patients who are ‘treated’ by quacks, only to get into bigger complications.
When she developed cold and fever, her parents took her to a ‘physician and surgeon’ in Sanquelim.
“For every MBBS doctor in the state, there are two quacks running successful private practice,” said Disciplinary and Ethics Committee chairman Dr Ulhas Karpe.
According to Dr Karpe, they mainly operate in the villages.
“They carry out practice especially in villages of Canacona, Paryem, Mollem, Keri, Cuncolim, Valpoi and Honda, where the of government clinics are less,” said Dr Karpe.
Alarmed with the increase in incidents of quackery and cross practice by unqualified persons in the state, the Goa Medical Council (GMC) at its meeting in December 2007 decided to appoint Dr Karpe and conduct a survey to collect information regarding such quacks.
It was also decided to issue notices to them (quacks), conduct inquiries and then take appropriate action.
“During the survey, we learnt that there were two types of people indulging in quackery in the state — ayurvedic and homeopathic graduates prescribing allopathic drugs and persons having no medical qualification, doing medical practice,” said Dr Karpe.
He added that the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has already filed a case against one ‘quack,’ reprimanded about 20 doctors and sent notices to five. “And, the list is still increasing,” insists Dr Karpe. During the survey the committee also learnt that there were some ‘doctors’ who ran successful practices and
charged anything between Rs 70 and Rs 200 as fees.
It was also shocking to learn that they did not even complete high school.
Take the case of a mother and son have a roaring medical practice in Indiranagar.
“While the mother calls herself a “ladies’ specialist” and has no qualification, the son, armed with a diploma degree in health care treats men in the area. This is illegal,” said Dr Karpe.
The Goa Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 2005 clearly states that those falsely claiming to be registered and using titles or degrees without authority can be punished and convicted with a fine that may extend up to Rs 50,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both.
“Though the law is in place, there nothing is being done,” added Dr Karpe.
June 16, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
