Shrusti makes Thorats smile
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Regaining consciousness on Monday, Shrusti Thorat who survived the accident that killed the rest of her family, smiled at doctors and asked for her parents.
“I had no answer and simply told her that they would be coming soon. I don’t know how long I will be able to hide the truth from her,” said Rupesh Thorat, her uncle, consternation writ large on his face.
Four-year-old Shrusti was unconscious at the Goa Medical College ICU since last Monday. In the grief the Thorat family is going through — they have lost their son Sunil, 35, his wife Jyoti, 30, and their six-month-old son Vinayak — Shrusti’s innocent smile on Monday came as a soothing salve.
“She was her father’s darling and very attached to him. She would miss him terribly whenever he went out for long,” said Rupesh.
Doctors said that Shrusti, admitted to GMC in a critical condition with severe head and chest injuries, is better. “Though she is under post-traumatic stress, she is conscious and her condition is improving,” doctors said. She was taken off the ventilator and shifted to the neuro surgery ward on Tuesday afternoon. Doctors said that Shrusti doesn’t seem to remember much about the moments before the deadly collision.
Describing Shrusti as a stubborn and mischievous girl, an emotional Rupesh said, “She is a fighter. Even at home, if she felt she was right, she would argue till she drove her point home.” It is, perhaps, the same fighting spirit that helped little Shrusti fight death. Shrusti was admitted to the GMC after her family, heading home to Mollem met with an accident at Palaskatta, Sukhtolem in Mollem. Thorats yet to get over shock
Panaji: Shrusti Thorat, the little girl who survived the fatal mishap that killed the rest of her family, has been taken off the ventilator and ever since, she’s been crying for her parents.
In the accident that took place last week, Sunil, who was driving the car in which the family was travelling, lost control and crashed into a tipper truck carrying iron ore and proceeding to Usgao, Tisk. Police said that Sunil was over speeding and the impact of the accident damaged the front portion of the car and the tipper.
Recollecting the events of that Monday evening, Rupesh said his family is yet to recover from the shock. “Sunil was the obedient son, who listened to my father and handled all his tasks. My father is yet to recover from the shock and is being treated by a doctor. We hope that news of Shrusti’s recovery will act like a balm for him,” said Rupesh.
Sunil, the younger of the family was living with his parents and ran a grocery shop in Mollem and rented out jeeps to tourists visiting Dudhsagar. His family said that this was not the first time Sunil had met with a collision at the same spot. “He collided with a motorcycle in 2005, but both walked away with minor knee injuries. After that he rarely drove and on Monday, he had driven when the accident occurred,” said Rupesh.
September 24, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Showing posts with label Goa;India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goa;India. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Siolim woman died of plasmodium vivax: Report
MOSQUITO MENACE
Siolim woman died of plasmodium vivax: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A new report has revealed that the woman from Siolim had died of extensive parasitemia of Plasmodium vivax parasite that had multiplied in the red blood cells and internal organs like the liver, kidney, spleen and the lining of the uterus that ultimately led to the destruction of the organs.
This report is based on the conclusion arrived at by the doctors after comparing the post-mortem pathological examination report conducted by Goa Medical College’s pathological department and the DNA test reports, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), conducted by a team from the National Institute of Malaria Research, an autonomous organisation under the Indian Council of Medical Research.
“There was immunal suppression in the woman, due to which the white blood corpuscles (WBC) couldn’t act against the parasite,” said GMC’s pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto.
Doctors after constantly studying the hystopathological slides and blood slides of the woman, who died from suspected P-vivax infection, realized that excess acid formation in the blood and tissue led to the growth of the parasite in the body. Even the NIMR report confirmed that the woman had died of P-vivax and they ruled out falciparum co-infection in the patient.
“Now it is not necessary that P-vivax with falciparum kills. But even P-vivax can kill. The woman died as the P-vivax parasite destroyed her organs as her immunity was low,” said Dr Pinto. Scientists across the world, including India, are waking up to Plasmodium vivax’s increasing notoriety. P-vivax and plasmodium falciparum are the two major strains of malaria which affect humans globally. With P-vivax’s changing clinical profile the doctors are now emphasizing on treatment and diagnosis.
So far deaths due to P-vivax are a rare. “The parasite and the insect has outwitted man. This case has brought to the focus that P-vivax can also affect the liver, kidney, spleen and even lungs, which were unheard of till now. But the parasite didn’t affect the brain or the heart,” added Dr Pinto. The P-vivax strain was recently discovered after pathological tests on a 25-year-old woman from North Goa had died following multiple organ failure.
2008 Jul 29 Times Of India Goa
Siolim woman died of plasmodium vivax: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A new report has revealed that the woman from Siolim had died of extensive parasitemia of Plasmodium vivax parasite that had multiplied in the red blood cells and internal organs like the liver, kidney, spleen and the lining of the uterus that ultimately led to the destruction of the organs.
This report is based on the conclusion arrived at by the doctors after comparing the post-mortem pathological examination report conducted by Goa Medical College’s pathological department and the DNA test reports, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), conducted by a team from the National Institute of Malaria Research, an autonomous organisation under the Indian Council of Medical Research.
“There was immunal suppression in the woman, due to which the white blood corpuscles (WBC) couldn’t act against the parasite,” said GMC’s pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto.
Doctors after constantly studying the hystopathological slides and blood slides of the woman, who died from suspected P-vivax infection, realized that excess acid formation in the blood and tissue led to the growth of the parasite in the body. Even the NIMR report confirmed that the woman had died of P-vivax and they ruled out falciparum co-infection in the patient.
“Now it is not necessary that P-vivax with falciparum kills. But even P-vivax can kill. The woman died as the P-vivax parasite destroyed her organs as her immunity was low,” said Dr Pinto. Scientists across the world, including India, are waking up to Plasmodium vivax’s increasing notoriety. P-vivax and plasmodium falciparum are the two major strains of malaria which affect humans globally. With P-vivax’s changing clinical profile the doctors are now emphasizing on treatment and diagnosis.
So far deaths due to P-vivax are a rare. “The parasite and the insect has outwitted man. This case has brought to the focus that P-vivax can also affect the liver, kidney, spleen and even lungs, which were unheard of till now. But the parasite didn’t affect the brain or the heart,” added Dr Pinto. The P-vivax strain was recently discovered after pathological tests on a 25-year-old woman from North Goa had died following multiple organ failure.
2008 Jul 29 Times Of India Goa
Anchors of hope...and rightly so
Anchors of hope...and rightly so
Preetu Nair
meets a group of women who bring hope to the needy and disadvantaged by just giving them some love and attention
What does an old lady who has almost everything, but no one to talk to need? A listener. What does an innocent child, who has no one to call his own in the world pray for? A mate. What does a brilliant student, who has no money to continue education dream off ? A donor.
a listener, a mate, a donor, each is anchor of hope for the disadvantaged. And that, an anchor of hope, is exactly what a group of women aspire to be.
Elegant, yet simple Deanne D’Souza (43) from Caranzalem is the brain behind the five-year-old, “Anchor of Hope” consisting of a bunch of women, resident in Goa and who’s husbands are out sailing the high seas.
Deanne, a homemaker and mother of two teenaged daughters, wanted to do something different, but didn’t quite know what. That’s when she banded together with a lot of other sailor’s wives — Camilla Lobo, Yvonne D ’ S o u z a , Genevieve D’- Souza, Lavina Abreu, Maria Pe re i r a , M a ro u s h k a R a s q u i n h a , Daphne Raghuram, Celine Rodrigues, Leonie Saldanha and Melissa Conceicao who are also homemakers, and Angela Sequeira and Roselyn Pereira who are both working. The group takes it’s name from their’s husband’s professions.
They started their work simply. “We realized we had everything and so decided to share it with others. We started spending time with women in old age homes, just talking and listening to them. The whole effort helped us develop as human beings and at the end of the day we felt accomplished,” said Deanne.
Well organised, each of them has been entrusted with a specialised task. From providing emotional support, organising games and picnics and providing medicines to orphan and HIV positive children and elderly citizens in old age homes, they now also provide financial help.
The finance for their programme comes from three sources: their monthly donation of minimum Rs 100 per person to build up a basic fund, from jumble sales and donations from friends, family and relatives who believe in the work the women are doing. “Orphaned children and old women want some love and attention. The glow on their faces when they see you is the greatest blessing. Besides, we have also funded the education of about 27 persons,” said Camilla.
An intervention of theirs they are proud of is when they were approached by the daughter of a toddy tapper for help. A brilliant student, the girl had obtained the qualifying marks for the BBA course, but had no money for the fees. That’s when the Anchor of Hope came to the girl’s rescue and agreed to pay the fees amounting to Rs 25,000 per annum.
But it was not easy coming up with the money. That’s when they hit upon the idea of a garage sale and came up with the necessary funds for the girl and others in her position.“We try to help in whichever way possible but our hurdle is that sometimes our hands are tied due to lack of funds. Since we are not a registered organisation, we can’t really raise large amounts in funds,” says Genevieve.
What keeps the group going is the encouragement they get from their spouses, families and others. “People have gone out of their way to encourage and help us. It is fantastic to see several people wanting to help us in their own small way,” added Deanne. And in a bid to inculcate this virtue in the younger generation, they have now got their children involved in the work.
An incident that gave the anchors of hope an idea of just how much of a difference they have made in the lives of others, is when a boy they had funded for a hotel management course, returned to meet them and gave them a token sum stating: “With help from you, I could finish my education and get a respectable job. Now I want to return the money you spent on me, to ensure that some other child benefits.” The group has truly been an anchor of hope to many.
2008 Jul 28 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair
meets a group of women who bring hope to the needy and disadvantaged by just giving them some love and attention
What does an old lady who has almost everything, but no one to talk to need? A listener. What does an innocent child, who has no one to call his own in the world pray for? A mate. What does a brilliant student, who has no money to continue education dream off ? A donor.
a listener, a mate, a donor, each is anchor of hope for the disadvantaged. And that, an anchor of hope, is exactly what a group of women aspire to be.
Elegant, yet simple Deanne D’Souza (43) from Caranzalem is the brain behind the five-year-old, “Anchor of Hope” consisting of a bunch of women, resident in Goa and who’s husbands are out sailing the high seas.
Deanne, a homemaker and mother of two teenaged daughters, wanted to do something different, but didn’t quite know what. That’s when she banded together with a lot of other sailor’s wives — Camilla Lobo, Yvonne D ’ S o u z a , Genevieve D’- Souza, Lavina Abreu, Maria Pe re i r a , M a ro u s h k a R a s q u i n h a , Daphne Raghuram, Celine Rodrigues, Leonie Saldanha and Melissa Conceicao who are also homemakers, and Angela Sequeira and Roselyn Pereira who are both working. The group takes it’s name from their’s husband’s professions.
They started their work simply. “We realized we had everything and so decided to share it with others. We started spending time with women in old age homes, just talking and listening to them. The whole effort helped us develop as human beings and at the end of the day we felt accomplished,” said Deanne.
Well organised, each of them has been entrusted with a specialised task. From providing emotional support, organising games and picnics and providing medicines to orphan and HIV positive children and elderly citizens in old age homes, they now also provide financial help.
The finance for their programme comes from three sources: their monthly donation of minimum Rs 100 per person to build up a basic fund, from jumble sales and donations from friends, family and relatives who believe in the work the women are doing. “Orphaned children and old women want some love and attention. The glow on their faces when they see you is the greatest blessing. Besides, we have also funded the education of about 27 persons,” said Camilla.
An intervention of theirs they are proud of is when they were approached by the daughter of a toddy tapper for help. A brilliant student, the girl had obtained the qualifying marks for the BBA course, but had no money for the fees. That’s when the Anchor of Hope came to the girl’s rescue and agreed to pay the fees amounting to Rs 25,000 per annum.
But it was not easy coming up with the money. That’s when they hit upon the idea of a garage sale and came up with the necessary funds for the girl and others in her position.“We try to help in whichever way possible but our hurdle is that sometimes our hands are tied due to lack of funds. Since we are not a registered organisation, we can’t really raise large amounts in funds,” says Genevieve.
What keeps the group going is the encouragement they get from their spouses, families and others. “People have gone out of their way to encourage and help us. It is fantastic to see several people wanting to help us in their own small way,” added Deanne. And in a bid to inculcate this virtue in the younger generation, they have now got their children involved in the work.
An incident that gave the anchors of hope an idea of just how much of a difference they have made in the lives of others, is when a boy they had funded for a hotel management course, returned to meet them and gave them a token sum stating: “With help from you, I could finish my education and get a respectable job. Now I want to return the money you spent on me, to ensure that some other child benefits.” The group has truly been an anchor of hope to many.
2008 Jul 28 Times Of India Goa
Monday, June 09, 2008
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
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Security agencies under scanner
Security agencies under scanner
Background Verification For Guards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Irrespective of how well established they are, security agencies in the state will have to queue up for fresh licenses shortly.
The Private Security Agencies Rules 2008 announced in a government gazette is expected to be notified in a week’s time.
It states that all agencies offering security services have to secure a licence from the special secretary (home) who has been appointed as the controlling authority.
In the past such licences were issued by municipal authorities and often led to the mushrooming of fly-bynight agencies which in turn caused “severe security threats”, said top police officials.
Speaking to TOI, controlling authority Diwan Chand said, “Even if the agencies have been doing business they have to take a (new) licence to operate. The fees for issue of licence is Rs 5,000 if operating in one district and Rs 10,000 if operating throughout the state. It is valid for 5 years.”
He added that the licence would be granted only after the district superitendent of police verified the credentials of the agency owners, checked if they possess skills or qualifications to operate an agency and confirmed that the business was not prejudicial to national security or public order.
Under the rules, the background and character of every security guard would also have to be verified by the police within 30 days if the guard is from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state.
All guards including ex-servicemen and former police officers would have to be given classroom and field training.
Apart from basic skills they would be trained in crowd control, identification of improvised explosive devices as well as handling and operation of non-prohibited weapons and firearms.
“We want security agencies to employ duly verified security guards so that they can offer protection rather than become liabilities to the police or threats to society,” said director general of police B S Brar who has been pushing for this notification with the home ministry.
Adding that such checks help to catch criminals guised as security guards and deter guards from indulging in crimes Brar said, “If security personnel are properly trained in handling arms we can even thwart any kind of criminal design, including terrorism.”
He admitted that the police are unaware of the number of private security agencies operating in the state and the skill levels of the guards.
Sources in private security agencies revealed that at present anyone with even a little experience or knowledge of this industry launched a company after securing permission from municipal authorities.
“There are about 20 successful establishments in the state, but 100 small time operators sign up every year along with a few fly-by-night operators,” informed a security agency officer.
He goes on to say that only 10 percent of Goans worked as security guards whereas the majority of them are hired from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam. The rules are part of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005.
What’s in store?
All private security agencies to seek fresh license from government This license is valid for a period of 5 years All private security agencies’ owners and employees to be verified Police have to verify background and character of a person within 30 days if from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state All private security guards would be trained, some in using firearms
Background Verification For Guards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Irrespective of how well established they are, security agencies in the state will have to queue up for fresh licenses shortly.
The Private Security Agencies Rules 2008 announced in a government gazette is expected to be notified in a week’s time.
It states that all agencies offering security services have to secure a licence from the special secretary (home) who has been appointed as the controlling authority.
In the past such licences were issued by municipal authorities and often led to the mushrooming of fly-bynight agencies which in turn caused “severe security threats”, said top police officials.
Speaking to TOI, controlling authority Diwan Chand said, “Even if the agencies have been doing business they have to take a (new) licence to operate. The fees for issue of licence is Rs 5,000 if operating in one district and Rs 10,000 if operating throughout the state. It is valid for 5 years.”
He added that the licence would be granted only after the district superitendent of police verified the credentials of the agency owners, checked if they possess skills or qualifications to operate an agency and confirmed that the business was not prejudicial to national security or public order.
Under the rules, the background and character of every security guard would also have to be verified by the police within 30 days if the guard is from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state.
All guards including ex-servicemen and former police officers would have to be given classroom and field training.
Apart from basic skills they would be trained in crowd control, identification of improvised explosive devices as well as handling and operation of non-prohibited weapons and firearms.
“We want security agencies to employ duly verified security guards so that they can offer protection rather than become liabilities to the police or threats to society,” said director general of police B S Brar who has been pushing for this notification with the home ministry.
Adding that such checks help to catch criminals guised as security guards and deter guards from indulging in crimes Brar said, “If security personnel are properly trained in handling arms we can even thwart any kind of criminal design, including terrorism.”
He admitted that the police are unaware of the number of private security agencies operating in the state and the skill levels of the guards.
Sources in private security agencies revealed that at present anyone with even a little experience or knowledge of this industry launched a company after securing permission from municipal authorities.
“There are about 20 successful establishments in the state, but 100 small time operators sign up every year along with a few fly-by-night operators,” informed a security agency officer.
He goes on to say that only 10 percent of Goans worked as security guards whereas the majority of them are hired from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam. The rules are part of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005.
What’s in store?
All private security agencies to seek fresh license from government This license is valid for a period of 5 years All private security agencies’ owners and employees to be verified Police have to verify background and character of a person within 30 days if from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state All private security guards would be trained, some in using firearms
Man slays uncle as father watches
Man slays uncle as father watches
Preetu Nair | TNN
Porvorim: A property dispute between two brothers turned bloody resulting in the death of one. Porvorim police said that Manohar Sastikar (67) along with his son Shailesh, assaulted Manohar’s younger sibling Vasant Sastikar (65), causing him grievous injuries. Vasant was declared dead on arrival at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Vasant’s son, Sagun, in his complaint said that at about 7.40 p.m on Sunday the two accused assaulted him and his brother with a chopper, causing body injuries. “Both brothers were taken to the GMC hospital for treatment. In the meanwhile an argument started between Manohar and Vasant at home and Shailesh hit Vasant thrice on the head with a brass lamp, even as Manohar watched,” said investigating officer PI Devendra Gad.
PI Gad said that after the blow, Vasant collapsed and his daughter-in-law immediately rushed him to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Salvador do Mundo.
Acting on the complaint filed by Sagun, the Porvorim police arrested the father and son for causing injuries with sharp weapons and murder. The two have been remanded to four days police custody
2008 May 13 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Porvorim: A property dispute between two brothers turned bloody resulting in the death of one. Porvorim police said that Manohar Sastikar (67) along with his son Shailesh, assaulted Manohar’s younger sibling Vasant Sastikar (65), causing him grievous injuries. Vasant was declared dead on arrival at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Vasant’s son, Sagun, in his complaint said that at about 7.40 p.m on Sunday the two accused assaulted him and his brother with a chopper, causing body injuries. “Both brothers were taken to the GMC hospital for treatment. In the meanwhile an argument started between Manohar and Vasant at home and Shailesh hit Vasant thrice on the head with a brass lamp, even as Manohar watched,” said investigating officer PI Devendra Gad.
PI Gad said that after the blow, Vasant collapsed and his daughter-in-law immediately rushed him to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Salvador do Mundo.
Acting on the complaint filed by Sagun, the Porvorim police arrested the father and son for causing injuries with sharp weapons and murder. The two have been remanded to four days police custody
2008 May 13 Times Of India Goa
Monday, March 10, 2008
Cops blame docs for bungling probe
Panaji: Goa police have held one drug dealer Samsong and detained three in connection with Briton Scarlette Keeling’s murder. According to them, the teen was picked up from her friend’s place in Anjuna by two locals and taken to Lui Cafi around 1.30 am where six people allegedly consumed cocaine. Samsong left the place around 4 am with two men, who, cops suspect, were involved in the murder.
The probe into Scarlette’s death kicked off a row after cops initially said it was a case of drowning. It drew criticism from the media and Scarlette’s family, which said she was “raped and murdered’’. The police later ordered a second post-mortem. It changed the course of investigation as the doctors conducting it recommended
the death be investigated as homicide. It said there were 50-odd bruises on her body and many were ante-mortem. “In my heart I knew that she was murdered. I am pleased the second autopsy confirms it,” said Scarlette’s mother Fiona MacKown. Defending themselves, the cops blamed the doctors who conducted the first autopsy.
Tourism minister Francisco X Pacheco has sought the dismissal of Anjuna police sub-inspector Nerlon Albuquerque. Scarlette’s family has also filed a complaint against him for “lying”.
North Goa SP Bosco George has directed SDPO Bicholim Samba Sawant to conduct an inquiry against Albuquerque after MacKown lodged a complaint with him on Saturday.
MacKown also criticised the police for sending four male officers to accompany her to the morgue. She said the police had attempted to remove the body despite her making it clear that a second post-mortem should be conducted. According to her, cops cajoled and convinced her that it was a case of drowning and she must take the body back home quickly. TNN
SCARLETTE’S STORY
Nov 22, 2007: Reaches Goa with mom Fiona
Feb 18, 2008: Seminaked body found on Anjuna beach. First autopsy states death due to drowning
Feb 22: Fiona writes to Goa DGP crying foul play
Feb 23: Writes to Anjuna police alleging bid by the Goa Medical College undertaker to remove the body and take it to Mumbai
Mar 5: Cops decide to carry out 2nd autopsy
Mar 8: A GMC panel of 3 doctors conducts 2nd post-mortem, confirms murder
Mar 9: Cops register case under Section 304 of IPC, arrest Samsong, detain three others
The probe into Scarlette’s death kicked off a row after cops initially said it was a case of drowning. It drew criticism from the media and Scarlette’s family, which said she was “raped and murdered’’. The police later ordered a second post-mortem. It changed the course of investigation as the doctors conducting it recommended
the death be investigated as homicide. It said there were 50-odd bruises on her body and many were ante-mortem. “In my heart I knew that she was murdered. I am pleased the second autopsy confirms it,” said Scarlette’s mother Fiona MacKown. Defending themselves, the cops blamed the doctors who conducted the first autopsy.
Tourism minister Francisco X Pacheco has sought the dismissal of Anjuna police sub-inspector Nerlon Albuquerque. Scarlette’s family has also filed a complaint against him for “lying”.
North Goa SP Bosco George has directed SDPO Bicholim Samba Sawant to conduct an inquiry against Albuquerque after MacKown lodged a complaint with him on Saturday.
MacKown also criticised the police for sending four male officers to accompany her to the morgue. She said the police had attempted to remove the body despite her making it clear that a second post-mortem should be conducted. According to her, cops cajoled and convinced her that it was a case of drowning and she must take the body back home quickly. TNN
SCARLETTE’S STORY
Nov 22, 2007: Reaches Goa with mom Fiona
Feb 18, 2008: Seminaked body found on Anjuna beach. First autopsy states death due to drowning
Feb 22: Fiona writes to Goa DGP crying foul play
Feb 23: Writes to Anjuna police alleging bid by the Goa Medical College undertaker to remove the body and take it to Mumbai
Mar 5: Cops decide to carry out 2nd autopsy
Mar 8: A GMC panel of 3 doctors conducts 2nd post-mortem, confirms murder
Mar 9: Cops register case under Section 304 of IPC, arrest Samsong, detain three others
Deadly cocktail of drug trade and police inaction-Foreign Dealers Carve Out Territories On Beache
Deadly cocktail of drug trade and police inaction
Foreign Dealers Carve Out Territories On Beaches
Panaji: With apologies to Vasco Da Gama, welcome to the tourist paradise that’s now facing a drugs-laced foreign invasion, fatal and much worse than the Portuguese one.
With Goa becoming a haven of drugs, rave and sex, its beaches have become a major market for foreign narcotics dealers. While Russians have taken over the drug business in Morjim and Arambol beaches, Israelis run the show at Vagator. The Scotts trade in Calangute and Baga and the Nigerians and Kenyans dominate Candolim.
The Goans themselves are not too far behind. In the once Hippie heartland of Anjuna, local boys are the main dealers. In 2005, the International Narcotics Control Board, India, had released a list of 248 major drug peddlers in the country, 90% of whom operated in North Goa. A year later, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes raised the issue and also presented a list of drug dealers in the assembly. But everyone is “untouchable’’ in this sordid nexus between the peddlers, police and locals.
“I fear that soon the international drug lords will fight to gain dominance on Goa’s turf,’’ Fernandes said. But home minister Ravi Naik brushed it aside.
Investigations reveal that every tourist season popular drugs like cocaine, MDMA and ecstasy tablets are imported and sold at trance or rave parties. This year alone, approximately 500 kg of cocaine has been smuggled in by Nigerians and sold to locals by Kenyans. One gram of cocaine costs Rs 3,000 to 4,500. An ecstasy tablet ranges between Rs 400 and Rs 1,000 and a gram of pink and white powder of MDMA costs between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000, depending on whether it’s tourist season. The Israelis mainly deal in LSD, which costs about Rs 400 per drop.
The trade involves not just dealers and runners, but also ‘hiders’ and a ‘Mr Fixer’. “While the ‘hider’ hides the drugs for the dealer, ‘Mr Fixer’ coordinates the trade and ensures that it goes on peacefully. While the former gets Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month, ‘Mr Fixer’ gets a commission on every matter he sorts out,’’ said a rave party organizer.
A shack owner in Anjuna said the cops protect the trade as they too earn a cut. Interestingly, top cops admit there are some in the force who are complicit in the drug racket, but say they are helpless.
“Every cop and local knows who the drug dealers are and how the mafia runs in North Goa. Yet the Goa police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell seem to go after drug abusers rather than catch dealers,’’ said Fernandes. TNN
Foreign Dealers Carve Out Territories On Beaches
Panaji: With apologies to Vasco Da Gama, welcome to the tourist paradise that’s now facing a drugs-laced foreign invasion, fatal and much worse than the Portuguese one.
With Goa becoming a haven of drugs, rave and sex, its beaches have become a major market for foreign narcotics dealers. While Russians have taken over the drug business in Morjim and Arambol beaches, Israelis run the show at Vagator. The Scotts trade in Calangute and Baga and the Nigerians and Kenyans dominate Candolim.
The Goans themselves are not too far behind. In the once Hippie heartland of Anjuna, local boys are the main dealers. In 2005, the International Narcotics Control Board, India, had released a list of 248 major drug peddlers in the country, 90% of whom operated in North Goa. A year later, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes raised the issue and also presented a list of drug dealers in the assembly. But everyone is “untouchable’’ in this sordid nexus between the peddlers, police and locals.
“I fear that soon the international drug lords will fight to gain dominance on Goa’s turf,’’ Fernandes said. But home minister Ravi Naik brushed it aside.
Investigations reveal that every tourist season popular drugs like cocaine, MDMA and ecstasy tablets are imported and sold at trance or rave parties. This year alone, approximately 500 kg of cocaine has been smuggled in by Nigerians and sold to locals by Kenyans. One gram of cocaine costs Rs 3,000 to 4,500. An ecstasy tablet ranges between Rs 400 and Rs 1,000 and a gram of pink and white powder of MDMA costs between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000, depending on whether it’s tourist season. The Israelis mainly deal in LSD, which costs about Rs 400 per drop.
The trade involves not just dealers and runners, but also ‘hiders’ and a ‘Mr Fixer’. “While the ‘hider’ hides the drugs for the dealer, ‘Mr Fixer’ coordinates the trade and ensures that it goes on peacefully. While the former gets Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month, ‘Mr Fixer’ gets a commission on every matter he sorts out,’’ said a rave party organizer.
A shack owner in Anjuna said the cops protect the trade as they too earn a cut. Interestingly, top cops admit there are some in the force who are complicit in the drug racket, but say they are helpless.
“Every cop and local knows who the drug dealers are and how the mafia runs in North Goa. Yet the Goa police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell seem to go after drug abusers rather than catch dealers,’’ said Fernandes. TNN
WAVES OF TRAGEDY BATTER GOA
Crime casts cloud over paradise
12 foreigners die in first two months of ’08
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa has always had its share of tourist troubles—from the nudist beaches of the sixties to drug peddling and, more recently, paedophilia rackets. But the spike in murder and rape incidents in the last two months has darkened the mood in this otherwise charming and peaceful coastal state.
Under threat are the beaches. That sandy magnet which attracts solo backpackers, families and young groups from all over the world, has become the site of several unnatural deaths. It has forced the Goa government, which is in a perpetual state of political intrigue, to take a hard look at a scenario where there are five lakh tourists every year and only 68 tourist police personnel for assistance.
In the last two years, more than 126 foreigners have died in Goa. The figures of the Goa police’s Foreigners Branch reveal that 55 died during 2006, 59 in 2007 and 12 in the first two months of 2008. The death of 15-year-old British girl Scarlette Keeling appears to be only the latest in a string of crimes.
A 32-year-old British woman was raped on January 12 allegedly by an unknown person in Panaji.
Two British women were sexually assaulted by the owner of a resort, a Russian woman was attacked by a beach cafe owner in South Goa and a Finnish woman alleged that two local men threatened to rape her at a beach shack.
Two Japanese tourists Urano Asaki and Keigo Yashiki died of drug abuse early this month.
‘‘Sexual harassment in public places is routine, even if you’re with your partner. Men stare at you and pass lewd comments. The police are not at all helpful,’’ said American tourist Dakini Runningbear, who says she was drugged and robbed at Anjuna. But the police say foreign tourists cannot afford to simply point the finger. They allege foreigners have little respect for local values and come to the state only for trance parties.
But others feel that a zero-tolerance approach to drugs is the only way to get rid of the rot. ‘‘Rape and sexual abuse are interlinked with drug abuse. If the government really wants to control this, it needs to seriously take on the local druglords rather than watch helplessly,” said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nitin Kunkolienkar.
12 foreigners die in first two months of ’08
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa has always had its share of tourist troubles—from the nudist beaches of the sixties to drug peddling and, more recently, paedophilia rackets. But the spike in murder and rape incidents in the last two months has darkened the mood in this otherwise charming and peaceful coastal state.
Under threat are the beaches. That sandy magnet which attracts solo backpackers, families and young groups from all over the world, has become the site of several unnatural deaths. It has forced the Goa government, which is in a perpetual state of political intrigue, to take a hard look at a scenario where there are five lakh tourists every year and only 68 tourist police personnel for assistance.
In the last two years, more than 126 foreigners have died in Goa. The figures of the Goa police’s Foreigners Branch reveal that 55 died during 2006, 59 in 2007 and 12 in the first two months of 2008. The death of 15-year-old British girl Scarlette Keeling appears to be only the latest in a string of crimes.
A 32-year-old British woman was raped on January 12 allegedly by an unknown person in Panaji.
Two British women were sexually assaulted by the owner of a resort, a Russian woman was attacked by a beach cafe owner in South Goa and a Finnish woman alleged that two local men threatened to rape her at a beach shack.
Two Japanese tourists Urano Asaki and Keigo Yashiki died of drug abuse early this month.
‘‘Sexual harassment in public places is routine, even if you’re with your partner. Men stare at you and pass lewd comments. The police are not at all helpful,’’ said American tourist Dakini Runningbear, who says she was drugged and robbed at Anjuna. But the police say foreign tourists cannot afford to simply point the finger. They allege foreigners have little respect for local values and come to the state only for trance parties.
But others feel that a zero-tolerance approach to drugs is the only way to get rid of the rot. ‘‘Rape and sexual abuse are interlinked with drug abuse. If the government really wants to control this, it needs to seriously take on the local druglords rather than watch helplessly,” said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nitin Kunkolienkar.
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