8,500 fishermen in Goa but only 474 ID cards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In yet another example of the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards maritime security, the Goa government has issued identity cards to only 474 of the approximately 8,500 fishermen operating in the state. The drive to issue ID cards had started in April 2007.
Acting director of fisheries Nandkishore Verlekar said, “Information is being collected by the coastal police but it’s a difficult task as about 95% of the labour is from outside the state. Though information is collected and sent to the police station of their origin for verification, there is hardly any response. Due to this there has been a delay in issuing ID cards.” However, in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the government has decided to act swiftly to secure the coasts.
Over 80 persons held in South Goa
In an intensive drive against job seekers from outside the state, the South Goa police rounded up nine Lamanis along the coastal belt and some 80 persons from different parts of Cuncolim on Wednesday. Police also undertook verification of around 150 Kashmiris engaged in trading activities. In another operation in Calangute on Tuesday night, police arrested 55 persons from the Aradiband slums. Police said that those arrested had no documents and were moving around the area in a suspicious manner. TNN P 3 Govt mulls colour code for trawlers, IDs for crew
Panaji: The Goa government is contemplating a colour code for trawlers besides bar coded identification cards for fishermen to ensure that unwanted elements don’t penetrate into the state via the sea.
“ID cards would make it easier to verify the antecedents of fishermen operating in Goa and a colour code for trawlers would help check on their movement,” said SP (North) Bosco George. There are about 815 trawlers operating in the state, with some 1,657 trawlers registered with the fisheries department.
Responsibility for verification remains with the state police, while the procedure for application and issuing of cards is managed by the fisheries department.
The police claim “lack of cooperation, illiteracy and absence of documents to prove proof of residence and incomplete or incorrect addresses” make verification difficult, leading to a consequent delay in issuing ID cards.
“We have been regularly checking those employed by
the trawlers. But trawler owners need to maintain proper records of their employees and cooperate with the police,” said DySP (coastal police) Naresh Mhamal.
“Police have been collecting details of the people employed with us, but so far we have not been issued a single ID card,” said Elvis Gomes, a trawler owner from Betul.
Added Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Cooperative Society chairman Sitakant Parab, “Hardly 25% of the fishermen have identity cards. Verification takes a long time and by that time many would have shifted to a different job or left the state. It is really difficult to issue identity cards as a majority of the workers are from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa or West Bengal and are here for short periods.”
The cards contain the photograph of the person, identification details, work profile and the association the fisherman is affiliated to. The card was meant to help patrolling agencies keep a check on activities of fishermen and to allow an alert to be raised in case of suspicious activity.
December 4, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, December 05, 2008
In Goa 38% of HIV hit are women
38% of HIV hit are women
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A woman, cheated into a marriage with an HIV positive man, filed for divorce as soon as she learned about his HIV status as she didn’t wish to live the rest of her life with the man who kept her in the dark about the same. Women’s liberation has touched a new high in Goa, with few women daring to put the lid on the unhappy marriages.
The latest trend, noticed over the past one year, has seen more than four women apply for either divorce or separation as their partners had hidden their HIV status at the time of marriage. “We have registered number of cases of women who are married to HIV positive men, who either didn’t know their HIV status or didn’t disclose it before marriage. In 4 cases, the women after they knew of their spouse’s HIV status, wanted either divorce or separation. One of them was tested HIV positive,” said Goa State AIDS Control Society chairperson Dr Pramod Salgaocar.
Dr Salgaocar added, “Most of the women are from Goan middle class families, who are in their early twenties. Once they know of their spouse’s HIV status, they feel cheated and betrayed. While some ask for separation, few opt for divorce. But many continue to live with the spouse and try to adjust with what fate has to offer.”
The surveillance data prepared by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) shows that of the estimated 12000 HIV positive individuals in the state, 38% are women and more than 85% are in the 15 to 29 age group. Besides, the proportion of HIV positive women has alarmingly increased from 12% in 1998 to 38% in 2008. Infact, 1 of every 3 HIV positive case detected in Goa is a woman.
“We have come across cases in which men have hidden their HIV status from their spouses at the time of marriage. Once the wife comes to know of the husband’s HIV status, hell breaks lose. If they are economically independent, then the women either walks out of the marriage or asks for separation.
Even if a woman tries to adjust, it is not easy as the blame game starts,” said Positive Lives Foundation president Jaffar Inamdar.
Sophia from Rishta said, “In majority of cases we have seen that by the time a woman learns about her husband’s HIV status, its too late as by then the woman is also tested HIV positive. So majority of women are left with no option but to support each other, till death parts them.”
“The only option that can help the couples is to make counselling mandatory and testing voluntary before marriage” added Dr Salgaocar.
December 2, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A woman, cheated into a marriage with an HIV positive man, filed for divorce as soon as she learned about his HIV status as she didn’t wish to live the rest of her life with the man who kept her in the dark about the same. Women’s liberation has touched a new high in Goa, with few women daring to put the lid on the unhappy marriages.
The latest trend, noticed over the past one year, has seen more than four women apply for either divorce or separation as their partners had hidden their HIV status at the time of marriage. “We have registered number of cases of women who are married to HIV positive men, who either didn’t know their HIV status or didn’t disclose it before marriage. In 4 cases, the women after they knew of their spouse’s HIV status, wanted either divorce or separation. One of them was tested HIV positive,” said Goa State AIDS Control Society chairperson Dr Pramod Salgaocar.
Dr Salgaocar added, “Most of the women are from Goan middle class families, who are in their early twenties. Once they know of their spouse’s HIV status, they feel cheated and betrayed. While some ask for separation, few opt for divorce. But many continue to live with the spouse and try to adjust with what fate has to offer.”
The surveillance data prepared by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) shows that of the estimated 12000 HIV positive individuals in the state, 38% are women and more than 85% are in the 15 to 29 age group. Besides, the proportion of HIV positive women has alarmingly increased from 12% in 1998 to 38% in 2008. Infact, 1 of every 3 HIV positive case detected in Goa is a woman.
“We have come across cases in which men have hidden their HIV status from their spouses at the time of marriage. Once the wife comes to know of the husband’s HIV status, hell breaks lose. If they are economically independent, then the women either walks out of the marriage or asks for separation.
Even if a woman tries to adjust, it is not easy as the blame game starts,” said Positive Lives Foundation president Jaffar Inamdar.
Sophia from Rishta said, “In majority of cases we have seen that by the time a woman learns about her husband’s HIV status, its too late as by then the woman is also tested HIV positive. So majority of women are left with no option but to support each other, till death parts them.”
“The only option that can help the couples is to make counselling mandatory and testing voluntary before marriage” added Dr Salgaocar.
December 2, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Goa-Grim tourism season on further decline
Grim tourism season on further decline
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hardly two months into the tourism season and reports reveal that cancellation of charter flights has touched 20% and the number of charter tourists visiting Goa is down 40%.
The September estimates had foreseen the arrival of about 40 charter flights a week to Goa for the current season, but revised estimates have reduced this to 32 flights a week.
“About 20% of the 656 charter flights estimated to arrive in Goa have been cancelled. The trend shows a definite decline in tourist arrivals as most flights are landing with 20 to 30% of their seats empty even in the last week of November. This has led to about 18% cancellation of flights and if the trend continues, we might see about 50% of the flights called off by February 2009,” said Subhash Phegade, station manager of Aircon Air Spares and Services.
Landing slots had been allotted to 656 charters at the Dabolim airport for the current season, down from the 747 flights that arrived last season. The estimated number of tourists on these flights is also down from 2,30,000 last season to about 1,65,000. The slide has taken place despite discounts by operators and hoteliers. Condor station manager Bush Miranda said, “Economic slowdown has hit us badly. Prices in the beginning of the season were high. Now, though reduced there are no takers as people are more concerned about their jobs. However, we hope that the 40% of repeat foreign tourists will return this season and we will have a steady flow of at least 40% foreign tourists.”
However, Ralph de Souza, president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa says, “The number of charter tourists coming directly to Goa has reduced as many tourists are arriving via Mumbai. Certain tour operators like TuiNodic from Finland has cancelled its operations to Goa, but Scandinavian tourists are coming via charters to Mumbai and then onto Goa.”
Industry sources admit that a majority of foreign tourists arriving are those who have booked non-refundable charter tickets. “If they cancel the tickets, they tend to lose money, so they come and prefer to stay and eat in their hotel, rather travel or spend. Due to this, auxiliary sectors like taxi operators, shack and restaurant owners are badly hit,” a source said.
Accepting the downward trend, the industry has started an intensive promotion campaign in UK and Moscow. “Along with routine packages, we are offering an extra supplement of tours to the hinterland, heritage sits, spice plantations, rivers or ghat areas and even promoting trekking in the ghat areas. The idea to expose the 40% repeat clientele to more attractions in Goa, rather than just the beaches and parties,” said de Souza.
Details available with tour operators reveal that charter operators from England have reduced Goa operations this season. While 412 charters arrived from England in 2007-2008, this year the number has dropped to 290. Similarly charter operators from Sweden reduced flights from 68 last season to 52, and those from Finland have brought down operations to 22, half the number of flights operated last year.
There will be no flights from Italy this season, though those from Belgium and Germany would remain steady at 25 and 50. There is, however, a rise in flights from Russia, from 208 last season to about 337. But Vim Airlines, hoping to operate 100 charters from Russia brought in just one and cancelled the other 99.
Tourists skip Goa, head home
Panaji: The continuing global meltdown coupled with Wednesday night’s terror attack in Mumbai has commenced the first tremors in the Goan economy.
Hours after gun shots shattered the peace of the night in Mumbai, foreign tourists cut short their Indian holiday, giving even Goa a miss and left the country from Mumbai.
“Two of our clients from France were on a north India tour and were to arrive in Goa shortly from Mumbai. They left the country from Mumbai itself, after last night’s terror attacks,” Ernest Dias, vice president, TTAG.
Industry insiders, however, say it is too early to predict the impact of the terror attack on Goa’s tourism economy. And if there’s going to be cancellations, it going to be in the Free-of-Itinery Traveller (FITs), and the Group Independant Traveller (GITs) . “There have been four cancellations of GITs in Delhi. Of these, one group was to come to Goa after a north India tour. As of now, there have been no direct cancellations for Goa, but we’ll have to wait for a few days and see,” says Alu Gomes Pereira of TCI. Industry players say the global meltdown itself has seen a 25% drop in British tourists, and a 10% drop in Scandinavian tourists as of November, although Russian arrivals have not really been affected.
“However, Russians are facing a credit crunch now. And coupled with the terror attack in Mumbai, we might see a 10-15% drop in Russian tourists,” says Dias. TNN
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hardly two months into the tourism season and reports reveal that cancellation of charter flights has touched 20% and the number of charter tourists visiting Goa is down 40%.
The September estimates had foreseen the arrival of about 40 charter flights a week to Goa for the current season, but revised estimates have reduced this to 32 flights a week.
“About 20% of the 656 charter flights estimated to arrive in Goa have been cancelled. The trend shows a definite decline in tourist arrivals as most flights are landing with 20 to 30% of their seats empty even in the last week of November. This has led to about 18% cancellation of flights and if the trend continues, we might see about 50% of the flights called off by February 2009,” said Subhash Phegade, station manager of Aircon Air Spares and Services.
Landing slots had been allotted to 656 charters at the Dabolim airport for the current season, down from the 747 flights that arrived last season. The estimated number of tourists on these flights is also down from 2,30,000 last season to about 1,65,000. The slide has taken place despite discounts by operators and hoteliers. Condor station manager Bush Miranda said, “Economic slowdown has hit us badly. Prices in the beginning of the season were high. Now, though reduced there are no takers as people are more concerned about their jobs. However, we hope that the 40% of repeat foreign tourists will return this season and we will have a steady flow of at least 40% foreign tourists.”
However, Ralph de Souza, president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa says, “The number of charter tourists coming directly to Goa has reduced as many tourists are arriving via Mumbai. Certain tour operators like TuiNodic from Finland has cancelled its operations to Goa, but Scandinavian tourists are coming via charters to Mumbai and then onto Goa.”
Industry sources admit that a majority of foreign tourists arriving are those who have booked non-refundable charter tickets. “If they cancel the tickets, they tend to lose money, so they come and prefer to stay and eat in their hotel, rather travel or spend. Due to this, auxiliary sectors like taxi operators, shack and restaurant owners are badly hit,” a source said.
Accepting the downward trend, the industry has started an intensive promotion campaign in UK and Moscow. “Along with routine packages, we are offering an extra supplement of tours to the hinterland, heritage sits, spice plantations, rivers or ghat areas and even promoting trekking in the ghat areas. The idea to expose the 40% repeat clientele to more attractions in Goa, rather than just the beaches and parties,” said de Souza.
Details available with tour operators reveal that charter operators from England have reduced Goa operations this season. While 412 charters arrived from England in 2007-2008, this year the number has dropped to 290. Similarly charter operators from Sweden reduced flights from 68 last season to 52, and those from Finland have brought down operations to 22, half the number of flights operated last year.
There will be no flights from Italy this season, though those from Belgium and Germany would remain steady at 25 and 50. There is, however, a rise in flights from Russia, from 208 last season to about 337. But Vim Airlines, hoping to operate 100 charters from Russia brought in just one and cancelled the other 99.
Tourists skip Goa, head home
Panaji: The continuing global meltdown coupled with Wednesday night’s terror attack in Mumbai has commenced the first tremors in the Goan economy.
Hours after gun shots shattered the peace of the night in Mumbai, foreign tourists cut short their Indian holiday, giving even Goa a miss and left the country from Mumbai.
“Two of our clients from France were on a north India tour and were to arrive in Goa shortly from Mumbai. They left the country from Mumbai itself, after last night’s terror attacks,” Ernest Dias, vice president, TTAG.
Industry insiders, however, say it is too early to predict the impact of the terror attack on Goa’s tourism economy. And if there’s going to be cancellations, it going to be in the Free-of-Itinery Traveller (FITs), and the Group Independant Traveller (GITs) . “There have been four cancellations of GITs in Delhi. Of these, one group was to come to Goa after a north India tour. As of now, there have been no direct cancellations for Goa, but we’ll have to wait for a few days and see,” says Alu Gomes Pereira of TCI. Industry players say the global meltdown itself has seen a 25% drop in British tourists, and a 10% drop in Scandinavian tourists as of November, although Russian arrivals have not really been affected.
“However, Russians are facing a credit crunch now. And coupled with the terror attack in Mumbai, we might see a 10-15% drop in Russian tourists,” says Dias. TNN
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Dada’, was chef Rego’s son’s last word
‘Dada’, was chef Rego’s son’s last word
The 23-Yr-Old Junior Chef Was Shot Dead At Taj, Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Urbano do Rego, who is popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, heard the desperate dying words of his 23-yearold son early on Thursday morning and then the call ended abruptly.
In the evening, the family learnt that Boris do Rego, a junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai had been shot dead by terrorists that morning.
Recollecting that last harrowing call, chef Rego said that about 4.30 am on Thursday he received a call from his son Boris. “My elder son picked up the phone. After talking to Boris he looked tense and suddenly collapsed. I rushed and picked up the mobile suspecting something fishy and I heard my son cry out ‘dada’ and then the phone went dead,” said chef Rego.
“After that we tried calling him several times. But he didn’t pick the phone,” Urbano said. At 3.30 pm, the family received news that their son had been killed by terrorists. The body will arrive in Goa on Friday. Along with Boris, four other chefs were shot dead.
Chef Rego, who is corporate chef (Goan cuisine, all India operations) said his son went through several desperate and anxious moments. “When we made the first call at 9.30 pm on Thursday, he said, ‘Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay.’ But by the time we made the second call, he sounded tense as he said, “I saw a few people firing at the Shamiana restaurant and a waiter was killed’,” the father recalled.
“We couldn’t understand what was happening, but we knew he was not safe. Throughout the night we called him, sometimes he picked up, but sounded tense. At 2 am he told us that the terrorists had taken them to the basement and an hour later he said they had been brought back to the kitchen to prepare sandwiches for the guests,” recollected the father.
Proud of Boris’ culinary skills, Urbano had hoped his son would carry on with his legacy. “I wanted him to continue with my legacy and I knew in my heart that he would be better than me,” the father said. He said that though his son was not keen on going to Mumbai, he forced him to go to Mumbai as he had also started his career in Taj, Mumbai in 1970 as an apprentice. Boris had joined Taj, Mumbai in June this year to fulfil his dad’s dream, “to be the best Goan cuisine chef ”. But the dreams are now just memories for the family. “It is all over,” said chef Urbano.
28 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goan chef gunned down at Taj
Goan chef gunned down at Taj
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Boris Rego, a 23-year-old junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai, was among those shot dead by terrorists who attacked the hotel.
“Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he told his family in Divar over the phone at 9.30 pm on Wednesday after terrorists took over the hotel. However, his optimism was short-lived, recalls his father Urbano Do Rego, popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, who also works at the Taj here in Goa.
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Boris Rego, a 23-year-old junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai, was among those shot dead by terrorists who attacked the hotel.
“Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he told his family in Divar over the phone at 9.30 pm on Wednesday after terrorists took over the hotel. However, his optimism was short-lived, recalls his father Urbano Do Rego, popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, who also works at the Taj here in Goa.
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘I wanted case to be closed out of desperation’
‘I wanted case to be closed out of desperation’
What The German Mother Told Police In Her Second Letter
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The letter given to the police on November 9 by the German woman who had alleged her daughter had been raped by a minister’s son seeking that the “complaint be treated as closed” was “done out of desperation and in the interest to protect my daughter from further annoyance”.
This was stated in a subsequent letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession) she gave to SP (north) Bosco George on November 11. Her first letter to the PI, Calangute, two days earlier had said, “I don’t wish to proceed with the complaint and the said case should be treated as closed.”
The second letter also claims that “for whichever reason”, her counsel Aires Rodrigues “saw it to be the better way”.
Rodrigues had withdrawn from the case a day after she gave the letter.
The second letter was submitted after a closed-door meeting with George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar. George said, “We did receive a letter from the mother two days after she gave a letter withdrawing her complaint. But we wouldn’t like to divulge any information as investigation is in progress.”
“My daughter after giving her statement to the judge broke down...She was nervous and due to this (she was) not able to confront the matter. She needs a little bit time to recover from all this,” the woman wrote.
Admitting that “it is a good sign” that her daughter is opening up to her, the woman wrote to the police that her daughter is gradually telling her what had happened to her. This was something “she was not doing before. I am trying carefully to convince her now so that she will be ready to give more details to the police about the incident, which I know is important to proceed with the investigations. So please allow me more time until I see that my daughter feels more easy to talk about it before the police”, she added.
On November 11, the German woman submitted another letter to the SP (north)
seeking leave to take her daughter to Germany after she gave her additional statement to the police. “I would appreciate it very much as she needs a follow-up treatment by her doctors in Germany,” the mother wrote.
Meanwhile, the Calangute police has attached the hard disk of the computer used by the minor girl to communicate with the minister’s son, and sent it to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, for examination.
27 November,2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
What The German Mother Told Police In Her Second Letter
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The letter given to the police on November 9 by the German woman who had alleged her daughter had been raped by a minister’s son seeking that the “complaint be treated as closed” was “done out of desperation and in the interest to protect my daughter from further annoyance”.
This was stated in a subsequent letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession) she gave to SP (north) Bosco George on November 11. Her first letter to the PI, Calangute, two days earlier had said, “I don’t wish to proceed with the complaint and the said case should be treated as closed.”
The second letter also claims that “for whichever reason”, her counsel Aires Rodrigues “saw it to be the better way”.
Rodrigues had withdrawn from the case a day after she gave the letter.
The second letter was submitted after a closed-door meeting with George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar. George said, “We did receive a letter from the mother two days after she gave a letter withdrawing her complaint. But we wouldn’t like to divulge any information as investigation is in progress.”
“My daughter after giving her statement to the judge broke down...She was nervous and due to this (she was) not able to confront the matter. She needs a little bit time to recover from all this,” the woman wrote.
Admitting that “it is a good sign” that her daughter is opening up to her, the woman wrote to the police that her daughter is gradually telling her what had happened to her. This was something “she was not doing before. I am trying carefully to convince her now so that she will be ready to give more details to the police about the incident, which I know is important to proceed with the investigations. So please allow me more time until I see that my daughter feels more easy to talk about it before the police”, she added.
On November 11, the German woman submitted another letter to the SP (north)
seeking leave to take her daughter to Germany after she gave her additional statement to the police. “I would appreciate it very much as she needs a follow-up treatment by her doctors in Germany,” the mother wrote.
Meanwhile, the Calangute police has attached the hard disk of the computer used by the minor girl to communicate with the minister’s son, and sent it to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, for examination.
27 November,2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, November 28, 2008
Stolt Valor crew back home
Stolt Valor crew back home
Recounts The Days Of Horror
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As 25-year-old Allister Fernandes stepped foot into his house in Cuncolim on Monday afternoon, he saw the placard welcoming him home. The heartwarming scene told a story of pain, grief and ultimately, that of relief and elation. It was an emotional reunion—for the family as well as the villagers who stood by them in their moment of grief and pain—celebrated with cakes and songs.
“I am happy to be home and so loved,” said an exuberant Allister, hugging his family and friends. “I realise now how uncertain life is,” he said after reaching Goa along with fellow crew member Isidore Fernandes from Raia.
“On September 15 morning when we had reached the Gulf of Aden, I was pleased at the thought that within five days I would be back home in Cuncolim, attending my cousin’s wedding. Little did I know that by afternoon, we would be captured by pirates.”
Allister worked as a steward in the Japanese-owned chemical tanker MV Stolt Valor, which with 22 crew members, including 18 Indians, was hijacked by a Somali pirates off the Yemen coast while it was bound for Mumbai from the Suez Canal. The ship was released on November 16. Allister along with four other members of the ship arrived from Muscat in Mumbai on Monday. The rest of the Indian crew, including the captain of the ship, are likely to arrive on Tuesday.
‘Guns were trained on us everyday’
Panaji: Allister Fernandes, who was on a nine-month contract on the MV Stolt Valor that was hijacked by Somali pirates, told TOI on Monday, “The pirates were armed with machine guns and we meekly surrendered to them as we had no weapons or experience in tackling pirates. A Somalian interpreter told us that we have been held hostage and would be released only after the ship’s owner paid the ransom. We were scared, but in our hearts we knew that they wouldn’t harm or kill us as their only motive was getting the money.”
“It was terrifying. The guns were trained on us every hour of the day. We had to take permission from them for everything and they stole our our stuff—gizmos, money and even clothes,” he said.
Allister admits that he suffers from panic attacks and sleepless nights with the horror of the past 2 months still haunting him.
The horror of his experiences are echoed in 29-year-old Isidore Fernandes’s recollection of the events aboard the ship. “We were forced to sleep on the floor of the narrow bridge. But we couldn’t sleep. The moment we closed our eyes, we would hear gun shots,” says the head cook, who hails from Raia.
“At first they allowed us to speak to our families, but after October 14 we were not allowed to contact them. It all appeared a deliberate attempt to scare us,” said Isidore.
A fun-loving person, Isidore recollected that he sometimes tried to joke with the Somalian cook who worked with him in the kitchen for the pirates. “He was very dirty and unhygienic. I wanted to ask him to clean up the kitchen but was scared to do so. They didn’t like Indian food as they found it spicy,” said Isidore. He admits that provisions were a problem. “The ration was for a month but we were stuck for two months. There was neither enough masalas or vegetables, but we managed and everybody ate to survive without complaining.”
The crew members had their anxious moments too. Like the time when the negotiations wouldn’t work, or when the booty was dropped from a jet in a parachute and the bag filled with money landed in water. “There was a wave of panic when the pirates didn’t leave the ship immediately as promised after they got the ransom money,” recalls Allister. They left 12 hours later after rounds of quarrels over the distribution of the money. “We began feeling safe only after reaching Muscat,” said Allister.
But duo said even in adversity lay some opportunities—the crew members became close friends. “I learnt to speak better Hindi. We used to play cards and talk about our families. It used to make us feel better. From strangers on the ship, we became good friends,” said Isidore.
The duo admits that while they’ll never forget the last 2 months, the experience won’t stop them from venturing into the sea again. “Life will go on,” said Allister.
25 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
24 November,The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
24 November,The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 24, 2008
HC slams probe into German minor’s case
HC slams probe into German minor’s case
Says Investigations Were Neither Just Nor Fair
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Friday after perusal of police files and investigation reports in the rape of the minor German girl observed that investigations were neither just nor fair.
On a day that exposed chinks in the police probe and brought to light the lacunae in dealing with the alleged crime against the minor girl, the court repeatedly questioned the manner in which the case was handled. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case on October 24 after the media had reported on “the apathy of police machinery” while investigating the case.
The court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit Monserrate seeking
cause as to why bail granted to him by the children’s court shouldn’t be cancelled. The court also called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI. The matter has been listed for hearing on December 10.
Ruling that, “Criminal jurisprudence is to ensure that just, fair and logical investigation, is done in accordance with criminal procedure code and police manual,” the bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto came down heavily on the investigating officer in the case.
They observed, “Investigating officer should take due care and caution in future and ensure that fair and proper investigation is done. There appears to be somewhat strange manner of investigation, not in consonance with normal practice of law.”
The German mother had accused education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of raping her daughter and PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao of sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl.
Observing that it is not appropriate for the court to examine various lacunae in the case, the judges said it is the court’s responsibility to ensure proper, just and fair investigation. The court observed, “investigation suffers from infirmity, which could be intentional or otherwise”.
Taking note of the fact that though the FIR was registered on October 14, the accused was not apprehended until he voluntarily appeared before the police on November 4, 2008. The court said that the police’s explanation that this was due to non-cooperation from the complainant is a matter of debate.
The court has called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI and asked the investigating officer to file a separate affidavit on the investigations conducted on the allegations made by the complainant on October 24 wherein she alleged that Warren Alemao had sexually abused her daughter.
Further, the court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit, as to why his bail shouldn’t be cancelled and he arrested as they were unable to find any merit in the order from the children’s court granting bail to the accused. The high court found the order unjustifiable in facts.
The court also questioned SP North Bosco George and investigating officer, Tushar Vernekar on the delay in collecting evidence relating to the mobile phone details from the telecom operators. The court sought an explanation as to why they waited two weeks before seeking details of the text messages and phone calls from the telecom operators.
To this the AG replied that a company formed by the family (Monserrate) holds 19 mobile phones and hence it was difficult to trace which mobile was used to send the messages. A complaint filed by the girl’s mother refers to objectionable text messages sent by the accused to the girl.
The court also repeatedly inquired with Vernekar whether he had adopted a similar procedure of investigation in other cases, to which the AG replied that the same procedure is adopted in all cases. Only if the police find some basis in the complaint do they take action, the AG clarified.
22 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Says Investigations Were Neither Just Nor Fair
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Friday after perusal of police files and investigation reports in the rape of the minor German girl observed that investigations were neither just nor fair.
On a day that exposed chinks in the police probe and brought to light the lacunae in dealing with the alleged crime against the minor girl, the court repeatedly questioned the manner in which the case was handled. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case on October 24 after the media had reported on “the apathy of police machinery” while investigating the case.
The court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit Monserrate seeking
cause as to why bail granted to him by the children’s court shouldn’t be cancelled. The court also called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI. The matter has been listed for hearing on December 10.
Ruling that, “Criminal jurisprudence is to ensure that just, fair and logical investigation, is done in accordance with criminal procedure code and police manual,” the bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto came down heavily on the investigating officer in the case.
They observed, “Investigating officer should take due care and caution in future and ensure that fair and proper investigation is done. There appears to be somewhat strange manner of investigation, not in consonance with normal practice of law.”
The German mother had accused education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of raping her daughter and PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao of sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl.
Observing that it is not appropriate for the court to examine various lacunae in the case, the judges said it is the court’s responsibility to ensure proper, just and fair investigation. The court observed, “investigation suffers from infirmity, which could be intentional or otherwise”.
Taking note of the fact that though the FIR was registered on October 14, the accused was not apprehended until he voluntarily appeared before the police on November 4, 2008. The court said that the police’s explanation that this was due to non-cooperation from the complainant is a matter of debate.
The court has called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI and asked the investigating officer to file a separate affidavit on the investigations conducted on the allegations made by the complainant on October 24 wherein she alleged that Warren Alemao had sexually abused her daughter.
Further, the court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit, as to why his bail shouldn’t be cancelled and he arrested as they were unable to find any merit in the order from the children’s court granting bail to the accused. The high court found the order unjustifiable in facts.
The court also questioned SP North Bosco George and investigating officer, Tushar Vernekar on the delay in collecting evidence relating to the mobile phone details from the telecom operators. The court sought an explanation as to why they waited two weeks before seeking details of the text messages and phone calls from the telecom operators.
To this the AG replied that a company formed by the family (Monserrate) holds 19 mobile phones and hence it was difficult to trace which mobile was used to send the messages. A complaint filed by the girl’s mother refers to objectionable text messages sent by the accused to the girl.
The court also repeatedly inquired with Vernekar whether he had adopted a similar procedure of investigation in other cases, to which the AG replied that the same procedure is adopted in all cases. Only if the police find some basis in the complaint do they take action, the AG clarified.
22 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, November 21, 2008
In Goa-Police land in hands of pvt developer
Police land in hands of pvt developer
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police on Thursday registered a complaint of fraud and cheating against a Panaji based builder and employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD, for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
The land, prime property worth crores of rupees at Dona Paula, had been acquired to construct an office building and quarters for the police, but “private parties encroached or trespassed into the land in connivance with certain officials of the government”, says the complaint.
Crime branch sleuths on Thursday registered an FIR against builder Joao Mathias, one Clotilda Fernandes and certain employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and PWD, under Section 420 (cheating), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards), 447 (criminal trespass), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 120 (b) of IPC and Section 13 (1) (d) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The police acted after inquiring into a complaint filed by Nelson Cabral, who alleged that Fernandes, Mathias and others had occupied government land at Dona Paula and that Mathias had undertaken construction activities on the land.
On March 28, 1969, the sub-divisional officer, Panaji, had awarded 5,40,784.95 sq m of land at Dona Paula to the police department vide order no LQN/SR-21.
Police investigations show that, “the PWD prepared a survey plan in the year, 1987 without considering the survey plan prepared under section four of the land acquisition act as base. Therefore, it is clear that this document was also prepared to help the accused for taking possession of the land.”
The report further states, “Joe Mathias, one of the partners (Empire Builder Pvt Ltd) directly or indirectly connived with Clotilda Fernandes (who had a house in the land acquired by the government and was compensated) and others and prepared documents to get occupancy of the land acquired by the government for an office building and police quarters as there was an agreement of assignment executed on May 18, 1998 between Empire builders.”
LAND SCAM Builder, govt staff accused of graft
Panaji: A complaint of fraud and cheating was registered against a Panaji-based builder, employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
Police investigations state that the mutation file in respect of the matter is missing from the mamlatdar’s office and the file for construction of office buildings and police quarters is missing from the concerned offices.
Incidentally, investigations have revealed that while builder Joao Mathias took possession of about 89,045.43 sq m of land earmarked for the police, some portion of the land was sold to a private hotel owner and private roads were constructed by private parties without obtaining a “no objection” from the government or the police department.
“There is a possibility that private parties might have encroached on government land and executed sale deeds in
favour of other parties by creating forged documents which has to be probed into,” police investigations reveal.
Besides this, about 75,000 sq m of land were allotted to the National Institute of Oceanography for staff quarters and about two lakh sq m were allotted to the IT Park by the government, the report reveals.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police on Thursday registered a complaint of fraud and cheating against a Panaji based builder and employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD, for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
The land, prime property worth crores of rupees at Dona Paula, had been acquired to construct an office building and quarters for the police, but “private parties encroached or trespassed into the land in connivance with certain officials of the government”, says the complaint.
Crime branch sleuths on Thursday registered an FIR against builder Joao Mathias, one Clotilda Fernandes and certain employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and PWD, under Section 420 (cheating), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards), 447 (criminal trespass), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 120 (b) of IPC and Section 13 (1) (d) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The police acted after inquiring into a complaint filed by Nelson Cabral, who alleged that Fernandes, Mathias and others had occupied government land at Dona Paula and that Mathias had undertaken construction activities on the land.
On March 28, 1969, the sub-divisional officer, Panaji, had awarded 5,40,784.95 sq m of land at Dona Paula to the police department vide order no LQN/SR-21.
Police investigations show that, “the PWD prepared a survey plan in the year, 1987 without considering the survey plan prepared under section four of the land acquisition act as base. Therefore, it is clear that this document was also prepared to help the accused for taking possession of the land.”
The report further states, “Joe Mathias, one of the partners (Empire Builder Pvt Ltd) directly or indirectly connived with Clotilda Fernandes (who had a house in the land acquired by the government and was compensated) and others and prepared documents to get occupancy of the land acquired by the government for an office building and police quarters as there was an agreement of assignment executed on May 18, 1998 between Empire builders.”
LAND SCAM Builder, govt staff accused of graft
Panaji: A complaint of fraud and cheating was registered against a Panaji-based builder, employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
Police investigations state that the mutation file in respect of the matter is missing from the mamlatdar’s office and the file for construction of office buildings and police quarters is missing from the concerned offices.
Incidentally, investigations have revealed that while builder Joao Mathias took possession of about 89,045.43 sq m of land earmarked for the police, some portion of the land was sold to a private hotel owner and private roads were constructed by private parties without obtaining a “no objection” from the government or the police department.
“There is a possibility that private parties might have encroached on government land and executed sale deeds in
favour of other parties by creating forged documents which has to be probed into,” police investigations reveal.
Besides this, about 75,000 sq m of land were allotted to the National Institute of Oceanography for staff quarters and about two lakh sq m were allotted to the IT Park by the government, the report reveals.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Deaths in two-wheeler crashes on the rise in Goa
Deaths in two-wheeler crashes on the rise in Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Helmetless riding is taking an enormous toll on the lives of youth in the state. On Sunday, about 10 persons with head injuries were admitted to the neurosurgery ward of the Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim, with head injuries from head-on collisions. Two of those admitted continue to be critical.
Of the 322 persons who died in road accidents in 2007, over 52% were two-wheeler drivers with head injuries and majority of them were not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap.
“Statistics tell the truth. Two-wheelers are unsafe and accident prone, yet riders aren’t willing to wear helmets. They wear it only when the police insist. Things won’t change until people realize that it is their responsibility to wear helmets when on road to reduce the risk of their own death,” said SP (traffic) Arvind Gawas.
Data collected by the state’s traffic department on two wheeler riders killed reveals that in 2007, of the 186 persons who died from head injuries, 39 were pillion riders. Many of the accidents had occurred on national and state highways, where wearing a helmet is compulsory. On inner roads, which accounted for about 100 head injury related deaths, the number of two-wheelers involved was 817.
“The rider as well as the pillion are vulnerable when involved in a high velocity headon collision. Wearing a helmet provides protection against the impact and impulse head injuries,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon, GMC. While an impact head injury may lead to a fracture of the skull and direct injury to the brain, an impulse head injury affects the whole brain.
“Any brain tissue damage lasts for life. If the person is young, the area around the tissue may compensate to a certain extent and the person may pull along, but many suffer from hidden handicaps,” said Sundaram. “We found that the working male population within the age group of 20 to 40 is most vulnerable to head injuries. We also found an increase in the number of high velocity head injuries among teenagers riding two-wheelers,” he said.
“If one avoids driving under the influence of alcohol, drives carefully and wears a helmet, the risk of accidents is drastically reduced,” said senior resident at GMC’s neurosurgery department Dr Jorson D’Costa.
Year 2006 saw 37% of the two-wheeler accident victims dying of head injuries. Of the 303 persons killed in 2006, about 102 were helmetless, and 18 were riding pillion. In the year 2005, 270 persons were killed in road accidents and 117 riders and pillion riders, were killed from head injuries. The year 2004 saw 306 deaths — 90 riders and 30 pillion riders — due to head injuries.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Helmetless riding is taking an enormous toll on the lives of youth in the state. On Sunday, about 10 persons with head injuries were admitted to the neurosurgery ward of the Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim, with head injuries from head-on collisions. Two of those admitted continue to be critical.
Of the 322 persons who died in road accidents in 2007, over 52% were two-wheeler drivers with head injuries and majority of them were not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap.
“Statistics tell the truth. Two-wheelers are unsafe and accident prone, yet riders aren’t willing to wear helmets. They wear it only when the police insist. Things won’t change until people realize that it is their responsibility to wear helmets when on road to reduce the risk of their own death,” said SP (traffic) Arvind Gawas.
Data collected by the state’s traffic department on two wheeler riders killed reveals that in 2007, of the 186 persons who died from head injuries, 39 were pillion riders. Many of the accidents had occurred on national and state highways, where wearing a helmet is compulsory. On inner roads, which accounted for about 100 head injury related deaths, the number of two-wheelers involved was 817.
“The rider as well as the pillion are vulnerable when involved in a high velocity headon collision. Wearing a helmet provides protection against the impact and impulse head injuries,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon, GMC. While an impact head injury may lead to a fracture of the skull and direct injury to the brain, an impulse head injury affects the whole brain.
“Any brain tissue damage lasts for life. If the person is young, the area around the tissue may compensate to a certain extent and the person may pull along, but many suffer from hidden handicaps,” said Sundaram. “We found that the working male population within the age group of 20 to 40 is most vulnerable to head injuries. We also found an increase in the number of high velocity head injuries among teenagers riding two-wheelers,” he said.
“If one avoids driving under the influence of alcohol, drives carefully and wears a helmet, the risk of accidents is drastically reduced,” said senior resident at GMC’s neurosurgery department Dr Jorson D’Costa.
Year 2006 saw 37% of the two-wheeler accident victims dying of head injuries. Of the 303 persons killed in 2006, about 102 were helmetless, and 18 were riding pillion. In the year 2005, 270 persons were killed in road accidents and 117 riders and pillion riders, were killed from head injuries. The year 2004 saw 306 deaths — 90 riders and 30 pillion riders — due to head injuries.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
GLOBAL RECESSION Decline in tourist arrivals spells bad news for Goa
GLOBAL RECESSION Decline in tourist arrivals spells bad news for Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Apart from British tourists, there has also been a decline in the number of Russian tourists arriving in the state this year.
Sources at Dabolim airport revealed that Ural airlines, a charter flight operating from Russia, has discontinued its operations to the state.
The first Ural charter landed in Goa on November 9 with just 28 passengers, though it had a seating capacity of about 200 passengers. They were slotted to arrive again on November 23, but have cancelled the flight.
“Global recession and a decrease in people’s spending power has affected the Russian market and led to a drop in 25% to 30% Russian tourists this season,” said Goa advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma.
The trend doesn’t spell good news for the state of Goa, which had seen a steady increase in foreign tourists from 2.5 lakh in 1997 to about 4 lakh in 2007, a majority of who travel to Goa on charter flights.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Apart from British tourists, there has also been a decline in the number of Russian tourists arriving in the state this year.
Sources at Dabolim airport revealed that Ural airlines, a charter flight operating from Russia, has discontinued its operations to the state.
The first Ural charter landed in Goa on November 9 with just 28 passengers, though it had a seating capacity of about 200 passengers. They were slotted to arrive again on November 23, but have cancelled the flight.
“Global recession and a decrease in people’s spending power has affected the Russian market and led to a drop in 25% to 30% Russian tourists this season,” said Goa advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma.
The trend doesn’t spell good news for the state of Goa, which had seen a steady increase in foreign tourists from 2.5 lakh in 1997 to about 4 lakh in 2007, a majority of who travel to Goa on charter flights.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Whopping 25% cut in charter rates from UK
Whopping 25% cut in charter rates from UK
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A Delhi-Goa air ticket on November 29 may cost you anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000. But a charter tourist arriving from Manchester, UK, on the same day with a return ticket and 21 nights stay thrown in will have to shell out only Rs 17,000.
“As there has been a drop in the number of tourists from the UK, we have cut down the charter flight rates by 25%. This discount will start immediately and continue till the end of the season,” said Ernest Dias, vice president, Sita travels.
The discounted rates, which includes a return ticket and stay, being offered by charter operators range between £214 (Rs 15,836) and £400 (Rs 29,600) for travel up to December 20 for flights originating in Manchester, East Midlands and Gatwick. “The rates in 2007 were between £400 (Rs 29,600) and £1,000 (Rs 74,000) for charter flights from the UK,” said Dias.
Rates during the peak season—from December 25, 2008 to January 2009—have been fixed between £556 (Rs 41,144) and £1,700 (Rs 1,25,800). To these a fuel surcharge of £20 (Rs 1,480) is added. The packages are for a stay ranging from a week to three weeks in Goa.
Data available with the foreigner’s registration office reveals that the state receives tourists from nearly 125 nations, with the majority coming from the UK (60%), followed by Russia (20% to 25%), Sweden and Germany. Not more than 500 Israelis visit the state annually. However, till date 27 charter flights from UK to Goa have brought in just 7,680 British tourists.
“Due to the recession people are not spending on travel. There has been a dip, but the market will recover,” said Aloo Gomes Periera, chief operating officer, charters, Thomas Cook India Ltd.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A Delhi-Goa air ticket on November 29 may cost you anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000. But a charter tourist arriving from Manchester, UK, on the same day with a return ticket and 21 nights stay thrown in will have to shell out only Rs 17,000.
“As there has been a drop in the number of tourists from the UK, we have cut down the charter flight rates by 25%. This discount will start immediately and continue till the end of the season,” said Ernest Dias, vice president, Sita travels.
The discounted rates, which includes a return ticket and stay, being offered by charter operators range between £214 (Rs 15,836) and £400 (Rs 29,600) for travel up to December 20 for flights originating in Manchester, East Midlands and Gatwick. “The rates in 2007 were between £400 (Rs 29,600) and £1,000 (Rs 74,000) for charter flights from the UK,” said Dias.
Rates during the peak season—from December 25, 2008 to January 2009—have been fixed between £556 (Rs 41,144) and £1,700 (Rs 1,25,800). To these a fuel surcharge of £20 (Rs 1,480) is added. The packages are for a stay ranging from a week to three weeks in Goa.
Data available with the foreigner’s registration office reveals that the state receives tourists from nearly 125 nations, with the majority coming from the UK (60%), followed by Russia (20% to 25%), Sweden and Germany. Not more than 500 Israelis visit the state annually. However, till date 27 charter flights from UK to Goa have brought in just 7,680 British tourists.
“Due to the recession people are not spending on travel. There has been a dip, but the market will recover,” said Aloo Gomes Periera, chief operating officer, charters, Thomas Cook India Ltd.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 17, 2008
Abused boy tests HIV positive
Abused boy tests HIV positive
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Thirteen-year-old Rahul (name changed) could well be one of hundreds of children in Goa, full of dreams and hopes. But, sexual abuse by a neighbour, and testing positive for HIV has clouded the lad’s plans for the future.
Rahul, a shy smile upon his young face, reveals that his abuser was a smooth-talking neighbour, who lured him with bike rides, money and sweets and then abused him. If Rahul complained, he would be threatened. The illicit liaison, that included brutality, lasted from May to early September this year, when Rahul fell ill and tests revealed he was HIV positive.
That was when Rahul’s father lodged a complaint on October 31 with the women and child protection unit alleging that his minor son had been sexually abused by a neighbour.
The accused was arrested and tests at the Goa Medical College and Hospital for STD showed that the accused was HIV positive.
“We are really hurt. Who could have imagined that a known person would actually abuse our child and threaten him. My son’s innocence has been ruined and his life destroyed,” said the boy’s father, who had heard of HIV/AIDS but knew no details about the virus until his son tested positive for it.
“I had heard about HIV but never cared to know much as I never thought that someone in my family could be infected,” the father said.
Even as the family is beginning to cope with this knowledge, they fear their son may be kidnapped by the abuser or even abused further.
“While we suffer and live in fear, the accused is out on bail,” said the boy’s father. The children’s court released the accused on bail, which has been challenged in the high court of Bombay at Goa by the state. The appeal will be heard this week. Discrimination, family’s big fear
Panaji: The family of the 13-year-old boy who was sexually abused by his neighbour now fears discrimination against the lad.
“At present many sympathize, though a few do taunt. We are scared to let Rahul (name changed) play alone, lest he be stigmatized or kidnapped. None of his friends call him to play. He is an excellent cook, but we don’t allow him to cook as we are scared that he may cut his finger. We don’t want to risk his life or anyone else’s,” the father says.
But Rahul doesn’t understand the fuss around him. He admits he feels angry, sad, scared and anxious, but he wants to play, cook and do exactly as he did before. “I want to play like other boys but my family members tell me that I should rest. I like to meet my friends and talk with them. But no one comes to play or talk with me. The only time I meet them is in school,” added Rahul, who goes along with his father and returns with him once classes are over.
For Rahul, life is not all about hope and belief, but about the will to live and live “normally”. “I am fine. I just want to study, play and live,” he added.
November 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Thirteen-year-old Rahul (name changed) could well be one of hundreds of children in Goa, full of dreams and hopes. But, sexual abuse by a neighbour, and testing positive for HIV has clouded the lad’s plans for the future.
Rahul, a shy smile upon his young face, reveals that his abuser was a smooth-talking neighbour, who lured him with bike rides, money and sweets and then abused him. If Rahul complained, he would be threatened. The illicit liaison, that included brutality, lasted from May to early September this year, when Rahul fell ill and tests revealed he was HIV positive.
That was when Rahul’s father lodged a complaint on October 31 with the women and child protection unit alleging that his minor son had been sexually abused by a neighbour.
The accused was arrested and tests at the Goa Medical College and Hospital for STD showed that the accused was HIV positive.
“We are really hurt. Who could have imagined that a known person would actually abuse our child and threaten him. My son’s innocence has been ruined and his life destroyed,” said the boy’s father, who had heard of HIV/AIDS but knew no details about the virus until his son tested positive for it.
“I had heard about HIV but never cared to know much as I never thought that someone in my family could be infected,” the father said.
Even as the family is beginning to cope with this knowledge, they fear their son may be kidnapped by the abuser or even abused further.
“While we suffer and live in fear, the accused is out on bail,” said the boy’s father. The children’s court released the accused on bail, which has been challenged in the high court of Bombay at Goa by the state. The appeal will be heard this week. Discrimination, family’s big fear
Panaji: The family of the 13-year-old boy who was sexually abused by his neighbour now fears discrimination against the lad.
“At present many sympathize, though a few do taunt. We are scared to let Rahul (name changed) play alone, lest he be stigmatized or kidnapped. None of his friends call him to play. He is an excellent cook, but we don’t allow him to cook as we are scared that he may cut his finger. We don’t want to risk his life or anyone else’s,” the father says.
But Rahul doesn’t understand the fuss around him. He admits he feels angry, sad, scared and anxious, but he wants to play, cook and do exactly as he did before. “I want to play like other boys but my family members tell me that I should rest. I like to meet my friends and talk with them. But no one comes to play or talk with me. The only time I meet them is in school,” added Rahul, who goes along with his father and returns with him once classes are over.
For Rahul, life is not all about hope and belief, but about the will to live and live “normally”. “I am fine. I just want to study, play and live,” he added.
November 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, November 16, 2008
MELTDOWN AND ITS IMPACT
MELTDOWN AND ITS IMPACT
Anjuna flea market loses the usual hustle and bustle
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: “How are you? Welcome to my shop. I will give a good price.” Charu’s offer of good discounts lures in the tourists, but does not translate into sales. This year has been difficult for vendors at the Anjuna flea market.
“I have not earned a single rupee since the flea market opened three weeks back,” says Charu, adding that she managed sales between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a day from October itself last year. This year, though it’s two weeks into November, business has been “thanda”. British tourists are our major customers but hardly two or three of them have visited my stall so far, says Charu.
The haven for hardcore shoppers and able bargainers, which finds mention in most travel guides, has lost its hustle and bustle this season. Like Charu, about 1,500 other vendors—Gujarati, Rajasthani, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Lamani and some foreigners—have done little or no business. “There are hardly any foreign tourists in Anjuna this season. It is completely dead,” says Edwin Nunes, committee member of the weekly market. “I thought that the market would be a really busy place. But very few tourists can be seen,” says Kevin Hobson, a visitor from Australia.
The market started in the early ’60s when hippies, broke and seeking to return home, started meeting every Wednesday to sell whatever remained with them—musical instruments, travelling gear and even two- and four-wheelers. Apart from the attractive prices—which would be much below the originals—what drew in the crowds was the picniclike atmosphere with most ‘stalls’ operating from tepees amid live music, world food and drugs.
Indian vendors have now replaced the hippies, the atmosphere has become more bazaar-like. Today on offer are a variety of stuff, from silver jewellery to musical instruments, and many things which come in between, like shells and bed covers. And of course, Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati handicrafts. And beachwear.
But the Wednesday tradition continues. Vendors like Charu are at their stalls by 9 am on the appointed day and stay there till sundown. They have been dealt a big blow this year by the global economic meltdown, rise in air fares and the consequent trip cancellations.
“There are a lot of items to buy, but few foreigners are visiting the stalls. It’s a tough time for everyone back home and no one is spending now. They want to save for Christmas,”says Jena Neave from the UK, who planned her Goa visit in September when she was offered a “good deal”.
November used to be a good time for business and we would be extremely busy as tourists came in large numbers, says Umesh Rathod, who has been selling goods in the flea market for the last five years. This season, British tourists have been few, and those coming are the Russians, who don’t like to spend, he says.
“Last year I managed to sell more than 70 drums. But this time I have not sold a single one. Every week I have been coming to the market with about seven drums and returning home with all of them,” says Gawas Sheikh, who has been doing business at the flea market for 15 years now. “Business has never been as bad as this,” he says.
Hotel rooms go a-begging
These are the best of times for the tourist and the worst of times for the industry. Indians planning to come to Goa during the peak season from October to March seem to have hit the jackpot. The internet is flooded with Indian travel companies offering offseason rates during the peak season plus a 50% discount in starred resorts.
While a popular four-star beach resort in Candolim is offering double rooms at Rs 2,250 a night for two people till December 20, a five-star hotel in South Goa is offering rooms for about Rs 4,620 in November. Tariff for some of the three-star hotels in the coastal belt start at Rs 999 and that of two-star AC rooms are between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
‘Lowest tariffs in ten years’
Panaji: Tourists planning to come to Goa from October to March have truly hit the jackpot as the internet is flooded with travel companies offering off-season rates during the peak season plus discounts in starred resorts.
A salesperson from a travel portal said, “One can book Goa hotels at the lowest price in the last 10 years. While the best two- and three-star hotel rooms can be had for a night from Rs 999 onwards, rooms at four-and five-star hotels start at Rs 1,999. This offer is valid till December 20 on all bookings made till November 15.”
Varun Albuquerque, owner of the four-star Dona Sylvia beach resort at Cavelossim and Devaaya Ayurveda Spa resort at Divar, said, “We have tied up for bulk bookings with
an Indian travel company and are offering a 30% discount. Overall business has dropped by 25% to 30% and there have so far been about 15% cancellations. There have been fresh bookings but these are less when compared to the 30% to 35% last minute fresh bookings in 2007. If the trend continues, then from January 2009, the hotel industry may face a tough time.”
Industry insiders say that most of the beachside hotels depend on charter tourists and with these yet to arrive in large numbers, the season appears bleak. This is the reason why most hotels have reduced their rates.
“The season is yet to pick up and we expect it to do so by Christmas. Some of the premium five-star and four-star hotels have already dropped their rates by 15%,” said former Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Charles Bonafacio.
In October 2007, 28 charters had landed with 5,150 passengers. This year it was 16 charters with 2,956 passengers in October. In November 2007, 116 charters had brought in 28,871 passengers, while this year 46 charters have brought in 9,372 passengers.
However, 73 more charters are slotted for this month. Sources at the airport reveal that though the number of charters may be more, the number of passengers on each flight is down at least 30%.
November 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Anjuna flea market loses the usual hustle and bustle
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: “How are you? Welcome to my shop. I will give a good price.” Charu’s offer of good discounts lures in the tourists, but does not translate into sales. This year has been difficult for vendors at the Anjuna flea market.
“I have not earned a single rupee since the flea market opened three weeks back,” says Charu, adding that she managed sales between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a day from October itself last year. This year, though it’s two weeks into November, business has been “thanda”. British tourists are our major customers but hardly two or three of them have visited my stall so far, says Charu.
The haven for hardcore shoppers and able bargainers, which finds mention in most travel guides, has lost its hustle and bustle this season. Like Charu, about 1,500 other vendors—Gujarati, Rajasthani, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Lamani and some foreigners—have done little or no business. “There are hardly any foreign tourists in Anjuna this season. It is completely dead,” says Edwin Nunes, committee member of the weekly market. “I thought that the market would be a really busy place. But very few tourists can be seen,” says Kevin Hobson, a visitor from Australia.
The market started in the early ’60s when hippies, broke and seeking to return home, started meeting every Wednesday to sell whatever remained with them—musical instruments, travelling gear and even two- and four-wheelers. Apart from the attractive prices—which would be much below the originals—what drew in the crowds was the picniclike atmosphere with most ‘stalls’ operating from tepees amid live music, world food and drugs.
Indian vendors have now replaced the hippies, the atmosphere has become more bazaar-like. Today on offer are a variety of stuff, from silver jewellery to musical instruments, and many things which come in between, like shells and bed covers. And of course, Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati handicrafts. And beachwear.
But the Wednesday tradition continues. Vendors like Charu are at their stalls by 9 am on the appointed day and stay there till sundown. They have been dealt a big blow this year by the global economic meltdown, rise in air fares and the consequent trip cancellations.
“There are a lot of items to buy, but few foreigners are visiting the stalls. It’s a tough time for everyone back home and no one is spending now. They want to save for Christmas,”says Jena Neave from the UK, who planned her Goa visit in September when she was offered a “good deal”.
November used to be a good time for business and we would be extremely busy as tourists came in large numbers, says Umesh Rathod, who has been selling goods in the flea market for the last five years. This season, British tourists have been few, and those coming are the Russians, who don’t like to spend, he says.
“Last year I managed to sell more than 70 drums. But this time I have not sold a single one. Every week I have been coming to the market with about seven drums and returning home with all of them,” says Gawas Sheikh, who has been doing business at the flea market for 15 years now. “Business has never been as bad as this,” he says.
Hotel rooms go a-begging
These are the best of times for the tourist and the worst of times for the industry. Indians planning to come to Goa during the peak season from October to March seem to have hit the jackpot. The internet is flooded with Indian travel companies offering offseason rates during the peak season plus a 50% discount in starred resorts.
While a popular four-star beach resort in Candolim is offering double rooms at Rs 2,250 a night for two people till December 20, a five-star hotel in South Goa is offering rooms for about Rs 4,620 in November. Tariff for some of the three-star hotels in the coastal belt start at Rs 999 and that of two-star AC rooms are between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
‘Lowest tariffs in ten years’
Panaji: Tourists planning to come to Goa from October to March have truly hit the jackpot as the internet is flooded with travel companies offering off-season rates during the peak season plus discounts in starred resorts.
A salesperson from a travel portal said, “One can book Goa hotels at the lowest price in the last 10 years. While the best two- and three-star hotel rooms can be had for a night from Rs 999 onwards, rooms at four-and five-star hotels start at Rs 1,999. This offer is valid till December 20 on all bookings made till November 15.”
Varun Albuquerque, owner of the four-star Dona Sylvia beach resort at Cavelossim and Devaaya Ayurveda Spa resort at Divar, said, “We have tied up for bulk bookings with
an Indian travel company and are offering a 30% discount. Overall business has dropped by 25% to 30% and there have so far been about 15% cancellations. There have been fresh bookings but these are less when compared to the 30% to 35% last minute fresh bookings in 2007. If the trend continues, then from January 2009, the hotel industry may face a tough time.”
Industry insiders say that most of the beachside hotels depend on charter tourists and with these yet to arrive in large numbers, the season appears bleak. This is the reason why most hotels have reduced their rates.
“The season is yet to pick up and we expect it to do so by Christmas. Some of the premium five-star and four-star hotels have already dropped their rates by 15%,” said former Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Charles Bonafacio.
In October 2007, 28 charters had landed with 5,150 passengers. This year it was 16 charters with 2,956 passengers in October. In November 2007, 116 charters had brought in 28,871 passengers, while this year 46 charters have brought in 9,372 passengers.
However, 73 more charters are slotted for this month. Sources at the airport reveal that though the number of charters may be more, the number of passengers on each flight is down at least 30%.
November 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
German mom now wants justice, calls on SP George
German mom now wants justice, calls on SP George
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Two days after writing to the Calangute police seeking to withdraw a case of rape against Rohit Monserrate and sexual harassment against Warren Alemao, the German woman now wants justice for her daughter.
People close to her said she is “under tremendous stress but wants justice for her daughter”. The woman had a closed-door meeting with SP (North) Bosco George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar on Tuesday afternoon. Though details of the conversation are not known, the mother appeared relaxed and the police seemed confident after the meeting.
“She had come and she did meet us. As far as I know, she has no grievance against police investigations. We will continue with the investigations,” said George. The German mother had met him first on Monday afternoon, soon after his meeting with the German consul general Walter Stechel. She met the SP again on Tuesday.
However, her counsel Aires Rodrigues was unaware of the latest developments. He said, “She has not told me anything. She has not informed me that she had gone to meet SP (North).
I don’t know what they discussed.” Cops hope German mom will cooperate
Panaji: Police sources on Tuesday said that they were confident that the German woman who has levelled rape charges against the education minister’s son Rohit would now cooperate with the cops in the investigation. This statement gains significance as the police had said that the biggest hurdle they were facing in the investigation was the lack of cooperation from the mother and daughter.
The police have been trying to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to communicate with Rohit and have visited her house several times. But the German woman was unavailable on each occasion. The police also want more information from the minor girl to substantiate the evidence against the accused and had asked for a convenient date. That too has not been fixed. They had also requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted but she has so far refused to accept the letter.
Meanwhile, Rohit, who was granted bail by the children’s court, reported to the investigating officer on Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm, in keeping with the court’s order.
November 12,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Two days after writing to the Calangute police seeking to withdraw a case of rape against Rohit Monserrate and sexual harassment against Warren Alemao, the German woman now wants justice for her daughter.
People close to her said she is “under tremendous stress but wants justice for her daughter”. The woman had a closed-door meeting with SP (North) Bosco George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar on Tuesday afternoon. Though details of the conversation are not known, the mother appeared relaxed and the police seemed confident after the meeting.
“She had come and she did meet us. As far as I know, she has no grievance against police investigations. We will continue with the investigations,” said George. The German mother had met him first on Monday afternoon, soon after his meeting with the German consul general Walter Stechel. She met the SP again on Tuesday.
However, her counsel Aires Rodrigues was unaware of the latest developments. He said, “She has not told me anything. She has not informed me that she had gone to meet SP (North).
I don’t know what they discussed.” Cops hope German mom will cooperate
Panaji: Police sources on Tuesday said that they were confident that the German woman who has levelled rape charges against the education minister’s son Rohit would now cooperate with the cops in the investigation. This statement gains significance as the police had said that the biggest hurdle they were facing in the investigation was the lack of cooperation from the mother and daughter.
The police have been trying to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to communicate with Rohit and have visited her house several times. But the German woman was unavailable on each occasion. The police also want more information from the minor girl to substantiate the evidence against the accused and had asked for a convenient date. That too has not been fixed. They had also requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted but she has so far refused to accept the letter.
Meanwhile, Rohit, who was granted bail by the children’s court, reported to the investigating officer on Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm, in keeping with the court’s order.
November 12,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Life’s become hell for us: German woman
Life’s become hell for us: German woman
‘Complaints Against Rich Counter-Productive’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Stating that their lives have been destroyed, the German mother who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren wrote to the Calangute police on Sunday saying they “do not wish to proceed with the complaint, which may be treated as closed”.
“Since the day I filed the complaint on 14th October, life has become living hell for both me and my daughter. There are allegations and counter allegations in the media and we have now realised that we have been trapped in a situation not in our interests. We are also scared of being ‘Scarlet II’,” the mother wrote.
The letter came four days after the police wrote to her asking her to intimate the time at which to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to comunicate with Rohit. The police said they had visited the complainant’s house several times to attach the hard disk, but she was unavailable. They also said that more information would be required from her daughter to substantiate the evidence against the accused.
Soon after the case was registered, Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar had written to the mother on October 23 seeking details of her daily activities in Goa, her business details, the property and vehicles she owns and details of her income sources. This information was sought on behalf of the foreigner’s registration office. The German woman had failed to furnish the details.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any harassment by the police to the complainant. “We have done everything as per law and we will continue to do the same,” said George.
On November 3, the police had requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted, but she had refused to accept the letter.
The German woman in her letter said, “We are spending sleepless nights and we are in depression and shock and we are scared of the consequences of proceeding with the complaint. The murderous assault on our lawyer continues to play on our minds. We have learnt the bitter truth that making genuine complaints against the rich and mighty is entirely counter productive. We are constantly hounded, our names sullied, campaigns organised against us and all sorts of motives attributed to us.” She alleged that a minor child had been abused, but her complaint has only led to harassment. “We are unable to lead normal lives and even our lives themselves are at stake. We are crushed under the weight of the rich and mighty and are strangers unable to beat the system,” she wrote.
November 11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Complaints Against Rich Counter-Productive’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Stating that their lives have been destroyed, the German mother who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren wrote to the Calangute police on Sunday saying they “do not wish to proceed with the complaint, which may be treated as closed”.
“Since the day I filed the complaint on 14th October, life has become living hell for both me and my daughter. There are allegations and counter allegations in the media and we have now realised that we have been trapped in a situation not in our interests. We are also scared of being ‘Scarlet II’,” the mother wrote.
The letter came four days after the police wrote to her asking her to intimate the time at which to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to comunicate with Rohit. The police said they had visited the complainant’s house several times to attach the hard disk, but she was unavailable. They also said that more information would be required from her daughter to substantiate the evidence against the accused.
Soon after the case was registered, Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar had written to the mother on October 23 seeking details of her daily activities in Goa, her business details, the property and vehicles she owns and details of her income sources. This information was sought on behalf of the foreigner’s registration office. The German woman had failed to furnish the details.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any harassment by the police to the complainant. “We have done everything as per law and we will continue to do the same,” said George.
On November 3, the police had requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted, but she had refused to accept the letter.
The German woman in her letter said, “We are spending sleepless nights and we are in depression and shock and we are scared of the consequences of proceeding with the complaint. The murderous assault on our lawyer continues to play on our minds. We have learnt the bitter truth that making genuine complaints against the rich and mighty is entirely counter productive. We are constantly hounded, our names sullied, campaigns organised against us and all sorts of motives attributed to us.” She alleged that a minor child had been abused, but her complaint has only led to harassment. “We are unable to lead normal lives and even our lives themselves are at stake. We are crushed under the weight of the rich and mighty and are strangers unable to beat the system,” she wrote.
November 11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 10, 2008
German mother does U-turn
German mother does U-turn
Files Application With Police To Withdraw Rape Case Against Rohit
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German woman who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren handed over a letter to the Calangute police on Sunday afternoon stating she wanted to withdraw her complaint.
The woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues confirmed that she had given such a letter to the police. “She is really upset as the system is treating her and her daughter as the accused. They do not want another unnatural death as in the case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling. That is the reason why she wants to withdraw the complaint,” said Rodrigues.
It, however, may not be easy to withdraw the complaint. Criminal lawyer Surendra Dessai said, “A complaint in terms of a cognizable offence can neither be withdrawn nor compounded. It depends on the court to decide whether the accused should be bailed out or sent to police or judicial custody.”
German consul general Walter Stechel, who is currently in Goa, has expressed surprise over the development. “I am not aware of this. What is important for us is that a German kid has been affected and we have to help all German citizens in India. We had been informed about the FIR and the circumstances of the case,” said Stechel.
Stechel met governor S S Sidhu on Sunday but refused to divulge any details about their discussions. He may also meet police representatives to discuss the case.
Making it clear that the German consulate would not interfere with the police investigations, Stechel said, “We are closely following the case and are concerned about two things. First, that security is assured to the mother and the minor. And second that the police and judiciary take necessary action. We are confident that necessary steps have been taken.”
Although police officials refused to come on record, sources confirmed that the woman has also written that since the case was registered, she was being harassed. It is learnt that she has said that Goa is not a nice place to live in anymore.
Sources said the mother has refused to cooperate with the investigations and refused to hand over the computer hard disk in which Rohit’s messages are allegedly saved.
“Despite police security given to them, they are not staying in their house in Saligao and not helping in the investigations,” added sources.
Meanwhile, reacting to Sunday’s developments the education minister said, “This is a ploy to ensure that my son doesn’t get bail.”
Rohit’s bail plea will be heard by the children’s court on Monday.
November 10,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Files Application With Police To Withdraw Rape Case Against Rohit
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German woman who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren handed over a letter to the Calangute police on Sunday afternoon stating she wanted to withdraw her complaint.
The woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues confirmed that she had given such a letter to the police. “She is really upset as the system is treating her and her daughter as the accused. They do not want another unnatural death as in the case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling. That is the reason why she wants to withdraw the complaint,” said Rodrigues.
It, however, may not be easy to withdraw the complaint. Criminal lawyer Surendra Dessai said, “A complaint in terms of a cognizable offence can neither be withdrawn nor compounded. It depends on the court to decide whether the accused should be bailed out or sent to police or judicial custody.”
German consul general Walter Stechel, who is currently in Goa, has expressed surprise over the development. “I am not aware of this. What is important for us is that a German kid has been affected and we have to help all German citizens in India. We had been informed about the FIR and the circumstances of the case,” said Stechel.
Stechel met governor S S Sidhu on Sunday but refused to divulge any details about their discussions. He may also meet police representatives to discuss the case.
Making it clear that the German consulate would not interfere with the police investigations, Stechel said, “We are closely following the case and are concerned about two things. First, that security is assured to the mother and the minor. And second that the police and judiciary take necessary action. We are confident that necessary steps have been taken.”
Although police officials refused to come on record, sources confirmed that the woman has also written that since the case was registered, she was being harassed. It is learnt that she has said that Goa is not a nice place to live in anymore.
Sources said the mother has refused to cooperate with the investigations and refused to hand over the computer hard disk in which Rohit’s messages are allegedly saved.
“Despite police security given to them, they are not staying in their house in Saligao and not helping in the investigations,” added sources.
Meanwhile, reacting to Sunday’s developments the education minister said, “This is a ploy to ensure that my son doesn’t get bail.”
Rohit’s bail plea will be heard by the children’s court on Monday.
November 10,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa Medical College plans policy review, to take brain dead off ventilators
GMC plans policy review, to take brain dead off ventilators
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa Medical College and Hospital may soon take patients who have been declared brain dead but are on ventilator off the apparatus so that the machine can be given to a patient with higher chances of survival. Doctors feel this could make the difference between life and death for critically ill patients.
Doctors at GMC admit that a review of the policy on ‘brain stem dead patients’ is in the offing. “At present, we keep such patients on ventilator till death is caused due to cardio respiratory failure. When a brain dead person is on ventilator, another patient who can definitely improve if put on ventilator in time is denied the facility,” said GMC dean Dr V N Jindal.
At any given point of time, there are at least seven critically ill patients admitted at GMC’s ICU, of which about a third go through the process of brain death. “Every week, we get at least one patient who stops responding during the course of treatment and becomes brain dead. But treatment is continued till the patient has a cardiac arrest so as to certify him or her dead,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon at GMC.
“It is often difficult to convince the layman that a brain dead person is dead as people believe that a person is not dead as long as the heart keeps beating. A brain dead person on ventilator can register heartbeats for months together,” said Dr Jindal.
Even as doctors try to satisfy relatives of patients who are brain dead, they face the problem of denying admission into the ICU patients who are alive. Doctors say there are two accepted modes of death – cardio respiratory failure and brain stem death — in India as stated in the organ transplant act. A person is brain stem dead when there is an irreversible cessation of the functions of the brain.
Every year, GMC receives about 200 patients with head injuries who pass away from brain death, besides another 200 who die from massive strokes.
Explaining who can declare a patient to be brain dead, Dr Gopinath Shenoy, a medico-legal expert from Mumbai, said that according to the Organ Transplant Act, whenever an individual’s organs have to be harvested (for transplantation), a committee needs to examine the patient and certify the patient brain dead. “If the organs needn’t be harvested, then a single doctor can diagnose the patient as brain dead and a death certificate can be issued. This is acceptable in law,” he said.
There is, however, a moral and ethical dilemma involved. “Due to this we have decided to have a meeting with all medical consultants to review the situation and arrive at a policy decision,” added Dr Jindal.
Dr Shenoy added, “A brain stem dead patient is dead and even the law states this. By putting a brain stem dead person on ventilator, the doctor is actually doing a disservice to the patient and relatives as the hospital bill keeps mounting.”
A ventilator in a private hospital costs Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per day, while it’s free at GMC.
This decision comes in the wake of discussions on brain deaths and ventilators during the silver jubilee neurosurgery celebrations of GMC on Sunday.
November 10,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa Medical College and Hospital may soon take patients who have been declared brain dead but are on ventilator off the apparatus so that the machine can be given to a patient with higher chances of survival. Doctors feel this could make the difference between life and death for critically ill patients.
Doctors at GMC admit that a review of the policy on ‘brain stem dead patients’ is in the offing. “At present, we keep such patients on ventilator till death is caused due to cardio respiratory failure. When a brain dead person is on ventilator, another patient who can definitely improve if put on ventilator in time is denied the facility,” said GMC dean Dr V N Jindal.
At any given point of time, there are at least seven critically ill patients admitted at GMC’s ICU, of which about a third go through the process of brain death. “Every week, we get at least one patient who stops responding during the course of treatment and becomes brain dead. But treatment is continued till the patient has a cardiac arrest so as to certify him or her dead,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon at GMC.
“It is often difficult to convince the layman that a brain dead person is dead as people believe that a person is not dead as long as the heart keeps beating. A brain dead person on ventilator can register heartbeats for months together,” said Dr Jindal.
Even as doctors try to satisfy relatives of patients who are brain dead, they face the problem of denying admission into the ICU patients who are alive. Doctors say there are two accepted modes of death – cardio respiratory failure and brain stem death — in India as stated in the organ transplant act. A person is brain stem dead when there is an irreversible cessation of the functions of the brain.
Every year, GMC receives about 200 patients with head injuries who pass away from brain death, besides another 200 who die from massive strokes.
Explaining who can declare a patient to be brain dead, Dr Gopinath Shenoy, a medico-legal expert from Mumbai, said that according to the Organ Transplant Act, whenever an individual’s organs have to be harvested (for transplantation), a committee needs to examine the patient and certify the patient brain dead. “If the organs needn’t be harvested, then a single doctor can diagnose the patient as brain dead and a death certificate can be issued. This is acceptable in law,” he said.
There is, however, a moral and ethical dilemma involved. “Due to this we have decided to have a meeting with all medical consultants to review the situation and arrive at a policy decision,” added Dr Jindal.
Dr Shenoy added, “A brain stem dead patient is dead and even the law states this. By putting a brain stem dead person on ventilator, the doctor is actually doing a disservice to the patient and relatives as the hospital bill keeps mounting.”
A ventilator in a private hospital costs Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per day, while it’s free at GMC.
This decision comes in the wake of discussions on brain deaths and ventilators during the silver jubilee neurosurgery celebrations of GMC on Sunday.
November 10,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, November 07, 2008
Goa- Age proof for entry into night clubs soon
Age proof for entry into night clubs soon
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Minors may not be able to walk into a night club or discotheque in Goa, as the government is considering asking the club authorities to demand “valid age proof identity” from clients before granting them entry.
On October 30, 2008, SP (north) Bosco George in a letter to the North Goa district magistrate wrote, “Taking into consideration the recent physical assault on a minor German girl, it will be feasible to restrict the entry of minor children into discotheques and dancing floors unless a valid age proof identity is given.”
The SP has requested the magistrate to issue instructions in this respect to discotheques and dance floor owners. North Goa district magistrate and collector Mihir Vardhan said, “We are working on this and have to work out the modalities of implementing it.”
However, club owners are not impressed. Steve D’Souza of Hill Top, a night club at Anjuna said, “It’s impossible to check on people who walk in a group. More than 400 people come with friends to enjoy and dance and it would be impossible to check everyone’s age proof.”
D’Souza added, “However, if someone looks like a minor, then we definitely ask for their age proof and if they fail to produce the same, we don’t grant them entry.”
In the meanwhile, the police are issuing notices to organizers under section 149 of CrPC to prevent cognizable offenses which violate the Goa children’s act. Under section 8 (1) of the act, children should be assured a safe environment, “an environment in which he or she is not abused in anyway and his or her development will be nurtured”.
SP George said, “There are photographs of minors like the German girl who enter entertainment places where alcohol is easily available, and there is a need to curb it.”
The minor German girl, who was allegedly raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and allegedly sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao, was a frequent visitor to night clubs and discotheques in the coastal belt. She had even participated in a fashion show in one of the clubs in North Goa, said police sources.
November 7, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Minors may not be able to walk into a night club or discotheque in Goa, as the government is considering asking the club authorities to demand “valid age proof identity” from clients before granting them entry.
On October 30, 2008, SP (north) Bosco George in a letter to the North Goa district magistrate wrote, “Taking into consideration the recent physical assault on a minor German girl, it will be feasible to restrict the entry of minor children into discotheques and dancing floors unless a valid age proof identity is given.”
The SP has requested the magistrate to issue instructions in this respect to discotheques and dance floor owners. North Goa district magistrate and collector Mihir Vardhan said, “We are working on this and have to work out the modalities of implementing it.”
However, club owners are not impressed. Steve D’Souza of Hill Top, a night club at Anjuna said, “It’s impossible to check on people who walk in a group. More than 400 people come with friends to enjoy and dance and it would be impossible to check everyone’s age proof.”
D’Souza added, “However, if someone looks like a minor, then we definitely ask for their age proof and if they fail to produce the same, we don’t grant them entry.”
In the meanwhile, the police are issuing notices to organizers under section 149 of CrPC to prevent cognizable offenses which violate the Goa children’s act. Under section 8 (1) of the act, children should be assured a safe environment, “an environment in which he or she is not abused in anyway and his or her development will be nurtured”.
SP George said, “There are photographs of minors like the German girl who enter entertainment places where alcohol is easily available, and there is a need to curb it.”
The minor German girl, who was allegedly raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and allegedly sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao, was a frequent visitor to night clubs and discotheques in the coastal belt. She had even participated in a fashion show in one of the clubs in North Goa, said police sources.
November 7, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Audi dealer contradicts Babush’s claim
Audi dealer contradicts Babush’s claim
Panaji: An Audi dealer from Pune contradicted education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s claim that his Audi was not registered in Goa as the dealer was not registered in the state.
The dealer said anyone who purchases an Audi is given a t e m p o r a r y registration valid for 30 days, during which the permanent registration can be obtained from any place, including Goa. “We have already sold three or four cars in Goa,” the dealer said.
“For driving any vehicle on the road, it should be registered with the RTO or at least there should be a temporary registration number, which should be displayed prominently,” said SP (Traffic) Arvind Gawas. The fine for not displaying a number plate is Rs 200 and that for not registering a vehicle is Rs 2,000. It was only when the car was attached by the Calangute police in connection with the rape and sexual abuse of the minor girl that the missing number plate was noticed. The car has been parked at the Calangute police station and is covered with a grey plastic cover. “Besides, it has a dark tint, which appears to be more than the permissible limits,” said police official. According to the Goa traffic police, the visual transmission of light for the front windscreen and rear windscreen shouldn’t be less than 70% and that of the side windows less than 50%.
November 07,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: An Audi dealer from Pune contradicted education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s claim that his Audi was not registered in Goa as the dealer was not registered in the state.
The dealer said anyone who purchases an Audi is given a t e m p o r a r y registration valid for 30 days, during which the permanent registration can be obtained from any place, including Goa. “We have already sold three or four cars in Goa,” the dealer said.
“For driving any vehicle on the road, it should be registered with the RTO or at least there should be a temporary registration number, which should be displayed prominently,” said SP (Traffic) Arvind Gawas. The fine for not displaying a number plate is Rs 200 and that for not registering a vehicle is Rs 2,000. It was only when the car was attached by the Calangute police in connection with the rape and sexual abuse of the minor girl that the missing number plate was noticed. The car has been parked at the Calangute police station and is covered with a grey plastic cover. “Besides, it has a dark tint, which appears to be more than the permissible limits,” said police official. According to the Goa traffic police, the visual transmission of light for the front windscreen and rear windscreen shouldn’t be less than 70% and that of the side windows less than 50%.
November 07,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rohit’s car has no number
Rohit’s car has no number
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The black Audi which was attached from education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s house by the police had been on the road for the last few months without registration.
The car was attached since the German minor has claimed Monserrate’s son Rohit had taken her for a drive in it to Bambolim, where he had sex with her. Rohit has denied having sex with the girl.
Police said the car had been brought into Goa three months ago on a temporary registration in Atanasio Monserrate’s name. The permanent registration has not been done. RTO officials said this was in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, which says “no person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of motor vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven at any public place unless the vehicle is registered by the RTO”.
Monserrate said, “The car company was not registered with the RTO here and therefore the car didn’t have a registration number. Now that the company has been registered, we will soon get a number.”
November 07,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The black Audi which was attached from education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s house by the police had been on the road for the last few months without registration.
The car was attached since the German minor has claimed Monserrate’s son Rohit had taken her for a drive in it to Bambolim, where he had sex with her. Rohit has denied having sex with the girl.
Police said the car had been brought into Goa three months ago on a temporary registration in Atanasio Monserrate’s name. The permanent registration has not been done. RTO officials said this was in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, which says “no person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of motor vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven at any public place unless the vehicle is registered by the RTO”.
Monserrate said, “The car company was not registered with the RTO here and therefore the car didn’t have a registration number. Now that the company has been registered, we will soon get a number.”
November 07,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Rohit says he was in Mumbai, Pune
Rohit says he was in Mumbai, Pune
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Although the German minor girl has claimed in her statement that she had had sex with Rohit Monserrate, the education minister’s son has denied any physical relationship with her.
He told the police that he knew the minor and admitted that she is a friend. Besides that, he had no relation with her, Rohit told the police.
Responding to queries from police on whether he had sent the “obscene” SMSs to the minor, Rohit said that he often left his mobile on the table and anyone could have used it.
In his four-page statement to the police on Saturday, hours before the girl gave her statement to the Mapusa court, Rohit reportedly said he was in Pune and Mumbai between October 14 (when the police booked cases against him) and November 1 (when he gave his statement to the police) checking out on a dealership for Audi cars.
SP (North) Bosco George refused to divulge any information on the contents of the minor’s statement and simply said, “Our duty is to collect as much evidence as possible to ensure that the case goes up for trial. In spite of all the difficulties we are facing from the complainant and minor daughter, we are trying our best to collect as much evidence as possible.”
George added, “We are still interrogating Rohit and have nothing to reveal.”
November 06, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Although the German minor girl has claimed in her statement that she had had sex with Rohit Monserrate, the education minister’s son has denied any physical relationship with her.
He told the police that he knew the minor and admitted that she is a friend. Besides that, he had no relation with her, Rohit told the police.
Responding to queries from police on whether he had sent the “obscene” SMSs to the minor, Rohit said that he often left his mobile on the table and anyone could have used it.
In his four-page statement to the police on Saturday, hours before the girl gave her statement to the Mapusa court, Rohit reportedly said he was in Pune and Mumbai between October 14 (when the police booked cases against him) and November 1 (when he gave his statement to the police) checking out on a dealership for Audi cars.
SP (North) Bosco George refused to divulge any information on the contents of the minor’s statement and simply said, “Our duty is to collect as much evidence as possible to ensure that the case goes up for trial. In spite of all the difficulties we are facing from the complainant and minor daughter, we are trying our best to collect as much evidence as possible.”
George added, “We are still interrogating Rohit and have nothing to reveal.”
November 06, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rohit gets 3-day police custody
Rohit gets 3-day police custody
Children’s Court Fixes Case For Hearing On November 7
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio Monserratte’s son Rohit, who was arrested on Tuesday on charges of raping a minor German girl, was remanded to three days police custody by the judicial magistrate first class, Mapusa, even as he approached the children’s court seeking bail.
Meanwhile, the high court of Bombay at Goa, which had taken suo moto cognizance of the lethargic police investigations into the case, noted on Wednesday that some progress has been made.
Judge P V Kamat, in-charge of the children’s
court set up under the Goa Children’s Act, 2005 to deal with offences committed against minors, issued notices to the prosecution for their reply and fixed the matter for hearing at 2.30 pm on November 7.
Rohit, in his bail application submitted through his lawyers, said that the case was based on assumptions. He claimed that his further custody was no longer required as police have carried out investigations and necessary medical examinations. He also said that a false case has been slapped on him and he was willing to stand trial to prove his innocence.
Meanwhile, justice N A Britto of the high court noted that the girl’s statement and medical examination and Rohit’s arrest—information filed by SP (north) Bosco George in his affidavit— showed that some progress had been made in the case.
On October 24, the high court had suo motu taken cognizance of the lethargy on the part of the police in arresting the accused and had treated the case as a public interest litigation (PIL). The police were ordered to produce a record of the investigation before the court.
Referring to the SP’s affidavit, the court on Wednesday, noted that the accused Rohit has been arrested and once arrested, he would be interrogated for further collection of evidence.
Advocate general Subodh Kantak assured the court that after the arrest accused Rohit was indeed interrogated. He further told the court that the complaint lodged by the victim’s mother on October 14 has been registered by the police.
Referring to another complaint filed by the mother on October 24 alleging that PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren also sexually exploited the minor, Kantak said this complaint was also being investigated.
The court, meanwhile, directed the police to file furthesr affidavits and submit a report on the subsequent investigation by November 20. The matter has been placed for hearing on November 21.
Earlier on on October 14, the mother of the German minor had filed a police complaint accusing Rohit of sexually assaulting her daughter, outraging her modesty and raping her—offences punishable under sections 354 and 376 of Indian Penal Code and under the Goa Children’s Act. She had also demanded that as the mobile phone which was used to send “obscene” messages to the girl was registered in the education minister’s name, a case should be registered against him for abetting the crime.
The minor girl had however refused to give her statement or submit to a medical examination till November 2. Following her statement on Saturday and medical examination on Sunday, Rohit was arrested.
November 06,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Children’s Court Fixes Case For Hearing On November 7
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio Monserratte’s son Rohit, who was arrested on Tuesday on charges of raping a minor German girl, was remanded to three days police custody by the judicial magistrate first class, Mapusa, even as he approached the children’s court seeking bail.
Meanwhile, the high court of Bombay at Goa, which had taken suo moto cognizance of the lethargic police investigations into the case, noted on Wednesday that some progress has been made.
Judge P V Kamat, in-charge of the children’s
court set up under the Goa Children’s Act, 2005 to deal with offences committed against minors, issued notices to the prosecution for their reply and fixed the matter for hearing at 2.30 pm on November 7.
Rohit, in his bail application submitted through his lawyers, said that the case was based on assumptions. He claimed that his further custody was no longer required as police have carried out investigations and necessary medical examinations. He also said that a false case has been slapped on him and he was willing to stand trial to prove his innocence.
Meanwhile, justice N A Britto of the high court noted that the girl’s statement and medical examination and Rohit’s arrest—information filed by SP (north) Bosco George in his affidavit— showed that some progress had been made in the case.
On October 24, the high court had suo motu taken cognizance of the lethargy on the part of the police in arresting the accused and had treated the case as a public interest litigation (PIL). The police were ordered to produce a record of the investigation before the court.
Referring to the SP’s affidavit, the court on Wednesday, noted that the accused Rohit has been arrested and once arrested, he would be interrogated for further collection of evidence.
Advocate general Subodh Kantak assured the court that after the arrest accused Rohit was indeed interrogated. He further told the court that the complaint lodged by the victim’s mother on October 14 has been registered by the police.
Referring to another complaint filed by the mother on October 24 alleging that PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren also sexually exploited the minor, Kantak said this complaint was also being investigated.
The court, meanwhile, directed the police to file furthesr affidavits and submit a report on the subsequent investigation by November 20. The matter has been placed for hearing on November 21.
Earlier on on October 14, the mother of the German minor had filed a police complaint accusing Rohit of sexually assaulting her daughter, outraging her modesty and raping her—offences punishable under sections 354 and 376 of Indian Penal Code and under the Goa Children’s Act. She had also demanded that as the mobile phone which was used to send “obscene” messages to the girl was registered in the education minister’s name, a case should be registered against him for abetting the crime.
The minor girl had however refused to give her statement or submit to a medical examination till November 2. Following her statement on Saturday and medical examination on Sunday, Rohit was arrested.
November 06,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa;I met Rohit at Miramar hotel: Girl
I met Rohit at Miramar hotel: Girl
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The German minor, whose mother alleges had been raped by Rohit Monserrate, reportedly met the education minister’s son through mutual friends at a Miramar hotel about 4-5 months back. She reportedly said in her statement that 2-3 weeks before her mother lodged a missing complaint on October 2, she met Rohit again.
Although police officials refused to come on record, sources quoted the girl as saying that she was accompanied by X (a friend) and Rohit had with him Y (his friend). X then received a call and he left with Y.
Rohit then took her for a drive in his Audi to Bambolim, she said. It was during this drive that Rohit told the German girl that he wanted to have sex with her. She claimed that she initially refused, but when he kept on insisting, she consented.
According to the girl’s statement, Rohit then dropped her at the KTC bus stand as she had to reach home by 8 pm—the deadline her mother had set for her. The girl claimed she took a pilot motorcycle. She went to bed and didn’t tell her mother about the incident.
The minor said that once when she was asleep, her mother accepted a call on her mobile and saw the “obscene” SMSs. The girl is reported to have also claimed that one day Jennifer Monserrate, Rohit’s mother, had come with someone to the house. However, she admitted that she did not know what transpired as she was upstairs. Jennifer has denied making such a visit.
The girl has not named PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren although her mother has alleged he too had sexually exploited the minor.
November 06,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The German minor, whose mother alleges had been raped by Rohit Monserrate, reportedly met the education minister’s son through mutual friends at a Miramar hotel about 4-5 months back. She reportedly said in her statement that 2-3 weeks before her mother lodged a missing complaint on October 2, she met Rohit again.
Although police officials refused to come on record, sources quoted the girl as saying that she was accompanied by X (a friend) and Rohit had with him Y (his friend). X then received a call and he left with Y.
Rohit then took her for a drive in his Audi to Bambolim, she said. It was during this drive that Rohit told the German girl that he wanted to have sex with her. She claimed that she initially refused, but when he kept on insisting, she consented.
According to the girl’s statement, Rohit then dropped her at the KTC bus stand as she had to reach home by 8 pm—the deadline her mother had set for her. The girl claimed she took a pilot motorcycle. She went to bed and didn’t tell her mother about the incident.
The minor said that once when she was asleep, her mother accepted a call on her mobile and saw the “obscene” SMSs. The girl is reported to have also claimed that one day Jennifer Monserrate, Rohit’s mother, had come with someone to the house. However, she admitted that she did not know what transpired as she was upstairs. Jennifer has denied making such a visit.
The girl has not named PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren although her mother has alleged he too had sexually exploited the minor.
November 06,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Babush’s son finally turns himself in
Babush’s son finally turns himself in
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit was taken into custody after he surrendered at about 12.40 pm on Tuesday and his father announced he would not move his bail until the police finished their investigation.
Rohit, accused of sexually abusing and raping a 14-yearold German girl, was arrested after he failed to satisfy the police with his answers during a questioning session that lasted about two and a half hours. He was later taken for a medical check up and then brought back to Calangute police station.
“My son is innocent and he has surrendered to prove his innocence,” the minister said after his son turned himself in. The 21-year-old Rohit, who looked calm and composed, arrived at the police station in a white car with a red beacon accompanied by his father and lawyers.
Sources close to the Monserrates said the legal team was present to ensure the cops did not pick up Rohit outside the police station and show it as an arrest instead of a surrender.
Later at 6.30 pm, a police team from Calangute along with fingerprint experts arrived at Monserrate’s Taleigao residence. The minister said they came to recover the black Audi car in which, according to the minor girl’s statement, Rohit had sex with her. “The police are doing their duty and let them do it,” Monserrate said.
Sources said the fingerprint experts thoroughly searched the car for almost two and an half hours.
As reported by TOI, Monserrate had written to the Calangute police on Monday night requesting them to permit him to produce his son Rohit by Tuesday noon. Monserrate claimed he was not in touch with Rohit, who had gone missing ever since the police booked him for rape on October 14. The arrest had been deferred till the girl gave her statement and underwent a medical examination.
CM under pressure
to sack Monserrate
Panaji: Pressure is mounting on the CM to drop A Monserrate from the cabinet following allegations that Babush harboured Rohit for 15 days and turned him in in the face of police pressure. TNN P 3
Night in lock-up
Panaji: Rohit Monserrate spent Tuesday night in the lock-up “without any special favours” from the police. After a dinner of fish curry and rice, he was forced to sleep on a charpai. TNN
P 2
Aires targets CM
Panaji: Aires Rodrigues on Tuesday attempted to drag the CM into the controversy surrounding the recent attack on him. The CM dismissed Aires charges as false. TNN P 3 Rohit denies raping minor German girl
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit, who had gone missing after the police booked him for the rape of a minor German girl on October 14, gave his statement to the cops on November 1, hours before the alleged deposed before a local court. He admitted knowing the girl but denied raping her, sources said.
Following the girl’s deposition on Saturday and her medical examination on Sunday, the police had raided Monserrate’s houses in Miramar and Taleigao as Rohit failed to honour summons asking him to present himself at Calangute police station. Summons were later served on the minister also asking him to produce his son before the police.
Meanwhile, Aires Rodrigues, counsel for the girl’s mother, has demanded that the minor’s statement be recorded again as she did not
state in her statement before the magistrate all that she had told him.
“We have requested the police to take the statement of the girl again as she has not given complete information. She has only named Rohit Monserrate but there are also others involved in the offence whom she has not named,” said Rodrigues.
November 05,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit was taken into custody after he surrendered at about 12.40 pm on Tuesday and his father announced he would not move his bail until the police finished their investigation.
Rohit, accused of sexually abusing and raping a 14-yearold German girl, was arrested after he failed to satisfy the police with his answers during a questioning session that lasted about two and a half hours. He was later taken for a medical check up and then brought back to Calangute police station.
“My son is innocent and he has surrendered to prove his innocence,” the minister said after his son turned himself in. The 21-year-old Rohit, who looked calm and composed, arrived at the police station in a white car with a red beacon accompanied by his father and lawyers.
Sources close to the Monserrates said the legal team was present to ensure the cops did not pick up Rohit outside the police station and show it as an arrest instead of a surrender.
Later at 6.30 pm, a police team from Calangute along with fingerprint experts arrived at Monserrate’s Taleigao residence. The minister said they came to recover the black Audi car in which, according to the minor girl’s statement, Rohit had sex with her. “The police are doing their duty and let them do it,” Monserrate said.
Sources said the fingerprint experts thoroughly searched the car for almost two and an half hours.
As reported by TOI, Monserrate had written to the Calangute police on Monday night requesting them to permit him to produce his son Rohit by Tuesday noon. Monserrate claimed he was not in touch with Rohit, who had gone missing ever since the police booked him for rape on October 14. The arrest had been deferred till the girl gave her statement and underwent a medical examination.
CM under pressure
to sack Monserrate
Panaji: Pressure is mounting on the CM to drop A Monserrate from the cabinet following allegations that Babush harboured Rohit for 15 days and turned him in in the face of police pressure. TNN P 3
Night in lock-up
Panaji: Rohit Monserrate spent Tuesday night in the lock-up “without any special favours” from the police. After a dinner of fish curry and rice, he was forced to sleep on a charpai. TNN
P 2
Aires targets CM
Panaji: Aires Rodrigues on Tuesday attempted to drag the CM into the controversy surrounding the recent attack on him. The CM dismissed Aires charges as false. TNN P 3 Rohit denies raping minor German girl
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit, who had gone missing after the police booked him for the rape of a minor German girl on October 14, gave his statement to the cops on November 1, hours before the alleged deposed before a local court. He admitted knowing the girl but denied raping her, sources said.
Following the girl’s deposition on Saturday and her medical examination on Sunday, the police had raided Monserrate’s houses in Miramar and Taleigao as Rohit failed to honour summons asking him to present himself at Calangute police station. Summons were later served on the minister also asking him to produce his son before the police.
Meanwhile, Aires Rodrigues, counsel for the girl’s mother, has demanded that the minor’s statement be recorded again as she did not
state in her statement before the magistrate all that she had told him.
“We have requested the police to take the statement of the girl again as she has not given complete information. She has only named Rohit Monserrate but there are also others involved in the offence whom she has not named,” said Rodrigues.
November 05,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Babush to turn in Rohit today
Babush to turn in Rohit today
‘Girl Has Admitted To Having Sex’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The police on Monday raided education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s house and served summons on the Teleigaon strongman to produce his son Rohit, who is alleged to have raped a German minor. This followed a statement given by the girl to a local court on Saturday and her medical examination by a team of GMC doctors on Sunday.
Although police officials refused to come on record, highly-placed sources said the girl had reportedly revealed that Rohit had sex with her. This happened on a drive to a remote plateau in Bambolim, she is reported to have said. Though she has not given the exact date, the girl said it happened four or five months ago, the sources said.
Superintendent of police (north) Bosco George refused to comment on the issue. “I have to file an affidavit in the high court and till then I can’t say anything,” he said.
Late on Monday night, Monserrate’s lawyer Arun Braz D’sa came with a letter from the minister (not on his official letterhead) to the Calangute police inspector. The letter said, “I was surprised at the presence of policemen at my house looking out for my son Rohit Monserrate today. I have already gone on record assuring full cooperation to the police. No intimation was given to us about the requirement to produce Rohit Monserrate. It is through the media that we learnt that the summons was served upon us. I was therefore surprised to receive summons as late as 19:15 pm under Section 160 CrPC.”
“In any case, I stand by my previous statement and request you to permit me to produce my son Rohit Monserrate by tomorrow noon at Calangute police station as at the moment he has not contacted me.”
November 4,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Girl Has Admitted To Having Sex’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The police on Monday raided education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s house and served summons on the Teleigaon strongman to produce his son Rohit, who is alleged to have raped a German minor. This followed a statement given by the girl to a local court on Saturday and her medical examination by a team of GMC doctors on Sunday.
Although police officials refused to come on record, highly-placed sources said the girl had reportedly revealed that Rohit had sex with her. This happened on a drive to a remote plateau in Bambolim, she is reported to have said. Though she has not given the exact date, the girl said it happened four or five months ago, the sources said.
Superintendent of police (north) Bosco George refused to comment on the issue. “I have to file an affidavit in the high court and till then I can’t say anything,” he said.
Late on Monday night, Monserrate’s lawyer Arun Braz D’sa came with a letter from the minister (not on his official letterhead) to the Calangute police inspector. The letter said, “I was surprised at the presence of policemen at my house looking out for my son Rohit Monserrate today. I have already gone on record assuring full cooperation to the police. No intimation was given to us about the requirement to produce Rohit Monserrate. It is through the media that we learnt that the summons was served upon us. I was therefore surprised to receive summons as late as 19:15 pm under Section 160 CrPC.”
“In any case, I stand by my previous statement and request you to permit me to produce my son Rohit Monserrate by tomorrow noon at Calangute police station as at the moment he has not contacted me.”
November 4,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 03, 2008
CBI to return Scarlett’s organs
CBI to return Scarlett’s organs
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is inquiring into the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has agreed to hand over the girl’s organs to her mother Fiona Mackeown on receipt of the chemical examination reports.
The reports are awaited from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
In a letter to the British high commissioner to India, Sir Charles Richard Vernon Stagg, on October 14, 2008, CBI joint director (policy) Sudhir Saxena, said, “The reports from both AIIMS and CFSL New Delhi are awaited.”
Decent burial only after organs are received: Fiona
Panaji: The Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to hand over the organs of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, who was raped and murdered in Goa, to her mother Fiona Mackeown on receipt of the chemical examination reports.
CBI joint director (policy) Sudhir Saxena, in a letter to British high commissioner to India Sir Charles Richard Vernon Stagg, on October 14, 2008, said, “On receipt of the report and the organs — pieces of both lungs, pieces of liver and half of uterus — can be handed over to Fiona Mackeown after obtaining permission from the children’s court, Panaji.”
Speaking to TOI over the phone from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona, who had written to the CBI seeking Scarlett’s organs, said, “The CBI has said that some of the organs have been destroyed, but they would hand over the remaining organs of my daughter soon. Once we receive the organs, we can give her a decent burial.”
Scarlett’s body had been found on February 19, 2008 at Anjuna beach, and a case of rape and murder was registered. Fiona had taken her daughter’s body to the UK for a third autopsy after two forensic autopsies at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. The autopsy at the coroner’s court in Devon had revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Doctors at GMC’s forensic department had stated that the organs had been preserved for tests.
While Scarlett’s liver and pieces of her lungs were deposited in a sealed envelope by the Goa police with the children’s court, half of the uterus and slides containing tissues were collected from the Goa Medical College and Hospital by the CBI for examination.
The letter to the high commissioner was in response to queries raised by the former in a meeting with CBI officials in Delhi on September 3, 2008. During the meeting, the high commissioner had sought information regarding investigations into the case, especially the return of the organs.
The CBI letter added that following procedure, the remaining biological materials (organs) utilized by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Mumbai, for chemical analysis were preserved for a period of three weeks and thereafter destroyed as per the existing protocol, it being “hazardous” to preserve them.
November 3,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is inquiring into the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has agreed to hand over the girl’s organs to her mother Fiona Mackeown on receipt of the chemical examination reports.
The reports are awaited from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
In a letter to the British high commissioner to India, Sir Charles Richard Vernon Stagg, on October 14, 2008, CBI joint director (policy) Sudhir Saxena, said, “The reports from both AIIMS and CFSL New Delhi are awaited.”
Decent burial only after organs are received: Fiona
Panaji: The Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to hand over the organs of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, who was raped and murdered in Goa, to her mother Fiona Mackeown on receipt of the chemical examination reports.
CBI joint director (policy) Sudhir Saxena, in a letter to British high commissioner to India Sir Charles Richard Vernon Stagg, on October 14, 2008, said, “On receipt of the report and the organs — pieces of both lungs, pieces of liver and half of uterus — can be handed over to Fiona Mackeown after obtaining permission from the children’s court, Panaji.”
Speaking to TOI over the phone from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona, who had written to the CBI seeking Scarlett’s organs, said, “The CBI has said that some of the organs have been destroyed, but they would hand over the remaining organs of my daughter soon. Once we receive the organs, we can give her a decent burial.”
Scarlett’s body had been found on February 19, 2008 at Anjuna beach, and a case of rape and murder was registered. Fiona had taken her daughter’s body to the UK for a third autopsy after two forensic autopsies at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. The autopsy at the coroner’s court in Devon had revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Doctors at GMC’s forensic department had stated that the organs had been preserved for tests.
While Scarlett’s liver and pieces of her lungs were deposited in a sealed envelope by the Goa police with the children’s court, half of the uterus and slides containing tissues were collected from the Goa Medical College and Hospital by the CBI for examination.
The letter to the high commissioner was in response to queries raised by the former in a meeting with CBI officials in Delhi on September 3, 2008. During the meeting, the high commissioner had sought information regarding investigations into the case, especially the return of the organs.
The CBI letter added that following procedure, the remaining biological materials (organs) utilized by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Mumbai, for chemical analysis were preserved for a period of three weeks and thereafter destroyed as per the existing protocol, it being “hazardous” to preserve them.
November 3,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa;German girl submits to medical test
German girl submits to medical test
Doctors Non-Commital On Rape
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Almost a month after a German woman lodged a police complaint against education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit alleging sexual abuse and rape of her minor daughter, the girl submitted herself to a medical examination on Sunday morning.
Highly-placed sources confirmed that the medical examination conducted at Goa Medical College and Hospital by a three-member panel of a lady gynaecologist and two forensic doctors confirmed an “old hymen tear”, but refrained from forming any opinion regarding “recent sexual intercourse” after an almost two-hour regular examination. They have, however, preserved vaginal swabs and other materials for serological examination.
Sources said that an ultrasound test to check if the girl was pregnant or had undergone an abortion or a miscarriage did not reveal anything. The examination was conducted after the girl gave her consent.
Ever since her mother lodged a police complaint on October 2, the girl had been refusing to give her statement or to subject herself to a medical test, and the two had often fought over this. However, the girl deposed before a local court on Saturday afternoon before undergoing the medical test on Sunday.
After the medical examination, the German mother’s counsel Aires Rodrigues claimed that the doctors told him that the girl had been raped. “They have performed all the tests, including ultrasound of the uterus. She may even go for an HIV test.”
Apart from charging Rohit with the rape of her 14-yearold daughter, the German mother had accused Warren Alemao, nephew of PWD minister Churchill Alemao, of sexually abusing the minor.
Police sources said the mother had agreed to allow a test on her daughter to check for HIV and STD, but she later withdrew the permission alleging a twohour delay on the part of the hospital authorities as “part of a larger conspiracy”.
Rohit will cooperate,says Babush
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate announced on Sunday that the police have recorded the statement of his son Rohit, who has been accused of raping a minor German girl.
Stating that the law should follow its own course, Babush said in a press statement, “The truth should be revealed without fear or favour. The German girl had refused to depose or get herself medically examined up to November 1, 2008, almost a month after her mother complained of the alleged rape. Now that she has given her statement and offered herself for medical examination, Rohit will cooperate with the police in their investigation.”
Apart from Rohit, the police have recorded the statement of his wife Jennifer also, amongst others, he said in the statement faxed to newspaper offices.
“I believe that my son Rohit, an adult, should be responsible for his acts and must face the consequences of breaking the law if he has done so. But in accordance with law, I shall resist attempts from certain quarters to selectively target only my family members for extraneous and political purposes,” added Babush.
Police to study medical report
Panaji: The German minor girl, whose mother has charged education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of sexually abusing and raping her daughter, underwent medical examination at the Goa Medical College and Hospital on Sunday morning. A three-member team of doctors conducted tests on the minor.
Police confirmed receipt of the medical report but refused to divulge any details.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “We will have to study the medical examination report and the statement of the girl to determine the further course of action.”
E a rl i e r, a c c o m p a - nied by her mother and lawyer, the girl in blue skirt and top arrived at the forensic department of GMC at 11 am on Sunday and had to wait for almost 40 minutes before the tests could be performed.
November 3,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Doctors Non-Commital On Rape
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Almost a month after a German woman lodged a police complaint against education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit alleging sexual abuse and rape of her minor daughter, the girl submitted herself to a medical examination on Sunday morning.
Highly-placed sources confirmed that the medical examination conducted at Goa Medical College and Hospital by a three-member panel of a lady gynaecologist and two forensic doctors confirmed an “old hymen tear”, but refrained from forming any opinion regarding “recent sexual intercourse” after an almost two-hour regular examination. They have, however, preserved vaginal swabs and other materials for serological examination.
Sources said that an ultrasound test to check if the girl was pregnant or had undergone an abortion or a miscarriage did not reveal anything. The examination was conducted after the girl gave her consent.
Ever since her mother lodged a police complaint on October 2, the girl had been refusing to give her statement or to subject herself to a medical test, and the two had often fought over this. However, the girl deposed before a local court on Saturday afternoon before undergoing the medical test on Sunday.
After the medical examination, the German mother’s counsel Aires Rodrigues claimed that the doctors told him that the girl had been raped. “They have performed all the tests, including ultrasound of the uterus. She may even go for an HIV test.”
Apart from charging Rohit with the rape of her 14-yearold daughter, the German mother had accused Warren Alemao, nephew of PWD minister Churchill Alemao, of sexually abusing the minor.
Police sources said the mother had agreed to allow a test on her daughter to check for HIV and STD, but she later withdrew the permission alleging a twohour delay on the part of the hospital authorities as “part of a larger conspiracy”.
Rohit will cooperate,says Babush
Panaji: Education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate announced on Sunday that the police have recorded the statement of his son Rohit, who has been accused of raping a minor German girl.
Stating that the law should follow its own course, Babush said in a press statement, “The truth should be revealed without fear or favour. The German girl had refused to depose or get herself medically examined up to November 1, 2008, almost a month after her mother complained of the alleged rape. Now that she has given her statement and offered herself for medical examination, Rohit will cooperate with the police in their investigation.”
Apart from Rohit, the police have recorded the statement of his wife Jennifer also, amongst others, he said in the statement faxed to newspaper offices.
“I believe that my son Rohit, an adult, should be responsible for his acts and must face the consequences of breaking the law if he has done so. But in accordance with law, I shall resist attempts from certain quarters to selectively target only my family members for extraneous and political purposes,” added Babush.
Police to study medical report
Panaji: The German minor girl, whose mother has charged education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of sexually abusing and raping her daughter, underwent medical examination at the Goa Medical College and Hospital on Sunday morning. A three-member team of doctors conducted tests on the minor.
Police confirmed receipt of the medical report but refused to divulge any details.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “We will have to study the medical examination report and the statement of the girl to determine the further course of action.”
E a rl i e r, a c c o m p a - nied by her mother and lawyer, the girl in blue skirt and top arrived at the forensic department of GMC at 11 am on Sunday and had to wait for almost 40 minutes before the tests could be performed.
November 3,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, October 31, 2008
Goa:DEATH BY DROWNING
In the land of sun, sand & surf
DEATH BY DROWNING
A deadly cocktail of naivete, alcohol and strong sea currents is the reason why Goa’s alluring beaches are death traps for tourists
Preetu Nair | TNN
Goa’s most prominent beaches — Calangute in the North and Colva in the South — are also the biggest killers.
Going by police statistics from January 2006 to September 2008, 42 persons drowned at Calangute while 18 met a watery grave at Colva. Significantly, most of the deceased were Indian male tourists.
“Most Indian visitors have often never seen the sea before and can barely swim,” explains a senior tourist official, “They plunge into the water despite warnings and often in a drunken state.”
In 2006, North Goa’s seas saw 23 Indian men drown; the figure upped to 31 in 2007 and till September this year, the seas have claimed 25 Indian tourists.
In the South, 2006 saw 24 Indians die in the waters, 2007 saw 30 and in the first nine months of 2008, 16 Indians have lost their lives to the sea. In contrast, the total number of foreign visitors who’ve died in Goa’s waters in the last 33 months are 12 in the north and two in the south.
The killer seas are mostly off the crowded beaches of Calangute, Baga and Arambol in North Goa, while Margao’s Colva beach is the sinister sea in the South.
While the total number of drowning deaths in the North in 2006 was 35, the South saw 28 deaths. Year 2007 witnessed 55 drowning deaths in North Goa, while the South recorded 33 drowning deaths. Till September 2008, 33 people have drowned in the North and 21 in the South.
October 29, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Goa Children:‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
APNA GHAR BLUES
‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) after he broke the window panes and tube-lights of his room at Apna Ghar, the state’s juvenile remand home at Ribandar.
The staff at the remand home justified the transfer on grounds that the youngster had a “violent” character. He went on the rampage after he wasn’t allowed to watch television.
At the IPHB, doctors diagnosed the youngster’s behaviour as merely a case of “conduct disorder” (triggered by immediate circumstances) rather than one of violence.
The youngster’s case isn’t a one-off.
Doctors at the IPHB say juveniles are repeatedly referred to the institute. “Once in two months, one or two juveniles from Apna Ghar are admitted here. A majority of them suffer from conduct disorders, as they are street children who are not exposed to proper care and shelter,” says IPHB medical superintendent B S Cuncoliencar.
At Apna Ghar, Juvenile Justice Board member Snehlata Bhatikar says delinquents go through tremendous trauma at the remand home as there is no counsellor at the campus to talk to and understand their apprehensions and anxiety.
“Besides, the approach of the staff being punitive, they ill-treat them. This drives the juvenile into a rebellious stage where they break gadgets and windows. Children learn to blackmail and when that fails, they rebel,” adds Bhatikar.
Explaining the reasons for such behaviour, Dr Nandita de Souza of Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance says, “Children misbehave either due to the development or emotional causes within them or due to the causes outside them such as family, home, friends, role models. Children want attention, power and control.”
Apart from this, some children also have addictions. “These children are often addicted to sniffing glue or drinking. The place where they are locked up only aggravates the situation as they are not provided with any skill or services for gainful employment once released,” says Arun Pandey, of NGO ARZ.
“The juveniles at Apna Ghar have no activity. They are allowed to play for just one hour everyday. They are not sent to school and spend most of the time in the prison-like room,”
says Bhatikar.
Director, Women and Child Development, Sanjiv Gadkar, says the government is aware of the problem and is working towards improving the situation.
The remand home presently has courses in craft, tailoring and clay modelling. Occasionally, a three-month course in cookery and baking is also taught.
“We are in talks with the Government Polytechnic College to start short-duration skillbased courses that will convince the children not to go back to their old ways,” assures Gadkar. These courses will include mobile repairs, data entry, making of novelty items, quilts, soft toys and coir articles and beautician courses.
October 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Lack of counselling cause of violence’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A 17-year-old boy was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) after he broke the window panes and tube-lights of his room at Apna Ghar, the state’s juvenile remand home at Ribandar.
The staff at the remand home justified the transfer on grounds that the youngster had a “violent” character. He went on the rampage after he wasn’t allowed to watch television.
At the IPHB, doctors diagnosed the youngster’s behaviour as merely a case of “conduct disorder” (triggered by immediate circumstances) rather than one of violence.
The youngster’s case isn’t a one-off.
Doctors at the IPHB say juveniles are repeatedly referred to the institute. “Once in two months, one or two juveniles from Apna Ghar are admitted here. A majority of them suffer from conduct disorders, as they are street children who are not exposed to proper care and shelter,” says IPHB medical superintendent B S Cuncoliencar.
At Apna Ghar, Juvenile Justice Board member Snehlata Bhatikar says delinquents go through tremendous trauma at the remand home as there is no counsellor at the campus to talk to and understand their apprehensions and anxiety.
“Besides, the approach of the staff being punitive, they ill-treat them. This drives the juvenile into a rebellious stage where they break gadgets and windows. Children learn to blackmail and when that fails, they rebel,” adds Bhatikar.
Explaining the reasons for such behaviour, Dr Nandita de Souza of Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance says, “Children misbehave either due to the development or emotional causes within them or due to the causes outside them such as family, home, friends, role models. Children want attention, power and control.”
Apart from this, some children also have addictions. “These children are often addicted to sniffing glue or drinking. The place where they are locked up only aggravates the situation as they are not provided with any skill or services for gainful employment once released,” says Arun Pandey, of NGO ARZ.
“The juveniles at Apna Ghar have no activity. They are allowed to play for just one hour everyday. They are not sent to school and spend most of the time in the prison-like room,”
says Bhatikar.
Director, Women and Child Development, Sanjiv Gadkar, says the government is aware of the problem and is working towards improving the situation.
The remand home presently has courses in craft, tailoring and clay modelling. Occasionally, a three-month course in cookery and baking is also taught.
“We are in talks with the Government Polytechnic College to start short-duration skillbased courses that will convince the children not to go back to their old ways,” assures Gadkar. These courses will include mobile repairs, data entry, making of novelty items, quilts, soft toys and coir articles and beautician courses.
October 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
In Goa 108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Apna Ghar wards live in dismal conditions
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
108 Juveniles ‘Locked Up’ At The Home; Water, Beds Scarce
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Children, whether in conflict with law or in need of care and shelter are “lockedup” at the government run children’s home — Apna Ghar, where conditions are pitiable.
On a visit to Apna Ghar, TOI discovered 108 children, 56 of them girls, “rescued” from various situations. Ten of the boys were juveniles in conflict with the law.
A stink greets any visitor to the building, the reason being the lack of adequate water. The toilet doors are broken and the urinals have water up to ankle level.
This was taken up by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR). “We have written to the minister of women and child development regarding the condition of the rooms and brought to his notice that the toilet is unhygenic and the water supply erratic. We have demanded that they install grills for the windows, so that the children don’t escape,” said GSCPCR chairperson Sameera Kazi.
“We are repairing the main water tank and improving the other facilities. We are trying to give them a safe environment in the best possible way,” said Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child development.
“Apna Ghar is like a prison and not a reformation home. It is a jail from which small time juveniles leave as big time criminals,” alleges juvenile justice board member Snehalata Bhatikar.
However, Gadkar denied this saying, “It is not correct to call it a jail as we don’t keep the juveniles in a closed room. We have to keep them lockedup as they break window panes and destroy everything in their vicinity if left in the open. There is also a toddler section. Who will bear responsibility if any harm is caused to them?”
Boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care are “locked-up” in separate rooms. This comprises a fan in working condition albeit without proper beds. All the girls, on the other hand, are housed in a single room.
The switchboard in the room where lads in conflict with the law are put up, is broken with wires dangling. The broken window panes are the work of, “the children themselves”, reveal authorities.
Gadkar said, “It is difficult to control so many children. If we don’t deter them from the wrong path now, it’s an open invitation for them to do whatever they want in the future. We definitely don’t want them to regress to their previous situations.”
Bhatikar, however, begged to differ. She said, “There are no facilities to improve their present or future whereby they can be gainfully employed.” In fact, the only activity for the children is an hour of games every evening and if they desire, they are taught pottery or needle work.
October 22, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa Pharamacy College Rs 65 Lakhs college equipment lies unused
Rs 65L college equipment lies unused
Pharmacy College Paid In Full Without Delivery Of Quality Machinery: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a shocking development, state-of-the-art equipment purchased in 2006 at the cost of Rs 65 lakh for use at the Goa college of pharmacy is lying unused at the institution.
A sub-committee, appointed by the college management, that looked into the purchases noted, “Prima facie, it is a case for further investigation. The installation report of the machines has been prepared without checking and actually installing the equipment. The 100% payment was done without getting quality equipment delivered. (There has been) no benefit to students despite (the equipment) lying in (the) college for more than one year”.
The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the state government on October 11, 2008. Technical education director Vivek Kamat confirmed the receipt of the report, but said, “At this stage, we can’t say anything. We have asked for some more information.”
Officiating college principal M G Pai, however, refused to comment on the report and said, “The matter is with the government. Let the government go through the matter and if there is anything we will take action.”
The pharmacy college with 450 students, one of the oldest institutes in the state, has been constantly gripped by problems due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
In 2006, chief secretary J P Singh had sanctioned the additional funds for acquiring machinery and equipment for the college. The machines purchased included, telemetry DSI data acquisition, auto track animal activity meter, hot plate analgesic meter and biopack, organ bath set-up, rat restrainer, ECG and other equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. These machines, used for developing new drugs and studying the effect of drugs on animals, were purchased from Gentech Marketing and Distribution (P) Ltd in August 2006.
According to the report, besides procedural lapses, there are also technical lapses. “It appears that the purchase committee decided to purchase the equipment on its own initiative. All members (were) not aware as there are no minutes of any meeting/s of the purchase committee and the signatures of all members are not available especially at crucial decision points,” the report states.
Besides procedural lapses, the report points out to technical flaws in the purchase. “While quoting (for) this item, M/s Gentech included an additional cost of $2800 towards training. As per the special conditions of the tender, the training should have been free. Installation of the equipment and the training is suspect, since M/s Gentech has specifically stated that a ‘starter kit’ is for training and demonstration. This essential part was supplied only in May 2008. Even on May 22, 2008, the company failed to demonstrate the proper working of the machinery”, the report notes.
Noting that instead of installing the equipment, it was dumped in a room, the report added, “All the payments were made in advance. Ninety per cent (of the) payment was to be made against irrevocable letter of credit or draft at sight. The balance 10% was to be paid on completion of supply, installation and acceptance of the equipment. Advance payment was not allowed.”
October 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Pharmacy College Paid In Full Without Delivery Of Quality Machinery: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a shocking development, state-of-the-art equipment purchased in 2006 at the cost of Rs 65 lakh for use at the Goa college of pharmacy is lying unused at the institution.
A sub-committee, appointed by the college management, that looked into the purchases noted, “Prima facie, it is a case for further investigation. The installation report of the machines has been prepared without checking and actually installing the equipment. The 100% payment was done without getting quality equipment delivered. (There has been) no benefit to students despite (the equipment) lying in (the) college for more than one year”.
The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the state government on October 11, 2008. Technical education director Vivek Kamat confirmed the receipt of the report, but said, “At this stage, we can’t say anything. We have asked for some more information.”
Officiating college principal M G Pai, however, refused to comment on the report and said, “The matter is with the government. Let the government go through the matter and if there is anything we will take action.”
The pharmacy college with 450 students, one of the oldest institutes in the state, has been constantly gripped by problems due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
In 2006, chief secretary J P Singh had sanctioned the additional funds for acquiring machinery and equipment for the college. The machines purchased included, telemetry DSI data acquisition, auto track animal activity meter, hot plate analgesic meter and biopack, organ bath set-up, rat restrainer, ECG and other equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. These machines, used for developing new drugs and studying the effect of drugs on animals, were purchased from Gentech Marketing and Distribution (P) Ltd in August 2006.
According to the report, besides procedural lapses, there are also technical lapses. “It appears that the purchase committee decided to purchase the equipment on its own initiative. All members (were) not aware as there are no minutes of any meeting/s of the purchase committee and the signatures of all members are not available especially at crucial decision points,” the report states.
Besides procedural lapses, the report points out to technical flaws in the purchase. “While quoting (for) this item, M/s Gentech included an additional cost of $2800 towards training. As per the special conditions of the tender, the training should have been free. Installation of the equipment and the training is suspect, since M/s Gentech has specifically stated that a ‘starter kit’ is for training and demonstration. This essential part was supplied only in May 2008. Even on May 22, 2008, the company failed to demonstrate the proper working of the machinery”, the report notes.
Noting that instead of installing the equipment, it was dumped in a room, the report added, “All the payments were made in advance. Ninety per cent (of the) payment was to be made against irrevocable letter of credit or draft at sight. The balance 10% was to be paid on completion of supply, installation and acceptance of the equipment. Advance payment was not allowed.”
October 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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