Each doctor in Goa costs state Rs 77.44 lakhs
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The state spends approximately Rs 77.44 lakh on every student graduating from the Goa medical college and hospital, yet once armed with a medical degree few of them opt for government service.
Over 95% of doctors who obtain their degree through the GMC never work in the public sector. “Majority of the doctors don’t stay on in Goa. They either go abroad for higher studies or join other institutes or corporate hospitals as the salary is higher,” said head of department of pathology and medical education cell of GMC Dr R Wiseman Pinto.
There are currently 56 vacancies at the GMC (28 senior residents and 27 consultants), and 80 at the directorate of health services for doctors and other specialists. As many as nine DHS health centres are functioning without a medical officer.
Pinto conducted a survey, a first-of-its-kind study, to determine the cost of training at GMC. This was computed through the traditional method of total expenses as against the number of the students, he said. The Rs 77.44 lakh includes direct costs (faculty salaries and stipends) and indirect costs (non-teaching personnel salaries, equipment, books, civil works, machinery and scholarships) incurred by the state’s only teaching hospital.
“For any student, the entire expenditure at GMC has to be taken into account because all expenses are for the students’ benefit. There are at present about 547 students at the GMC,” said Dr Pinto.
As against the expenditure, general category students pay a fee of about Rs 1.14 lakh for the MBBS course, while reserved category students pay Rs 58,620 and all India students pay about Rs 1.15 lakh. This doesn’t include the hostel fee of Rs 1,000 per year.
There is, however, a solution to curb the brain drain, though the government is yet to implement it.
“Medical students joining the course sign a bond which has a clause that should the government require them to work in the public sector for a year, they would have to do so. In case they fail to work then they would have to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh if they have a MBBS degree or Rs 3 lakh if they have a PG qualification,” said Pinto.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Cases of undetected crimes on rise in state
Cases of undetected crimes on rise in state
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: From the years 2004 to 2008 an average of around 34% to 38% crime cases go undetected in the state, reveals the statement of crime of
the Goa police for the last five years from 2004 to 2008.
However, an average of 62 to 65% crime cases have been detected and almost a similar or lesser number of cases chargesheeted. But compare this to national statistics, wherein the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has stated that about 80.1% of cognizable crimes were chargesheeted.
Between 2004 and 2008, the state has seen an increase in incidents of theft and burglary. But the number of undetected cases outnumbers those detected. About 946 cases burglary and 1639 cases of theft in last five years still remain undetected. In contrast, the number of cases of burglary and theft detected in last five years is 426 and 950 respectively. The police, however, have been able to detect 61 robbery cases of the total 109 cases from 2004 to 2008. Of the 22 dacoities, 8 remain undetected. In cases of cheating, if the police have been able to crack 219 cases in the last 5 years, then 115 lie undetected.
Goa, in the last 5 years, witnessed 205 murders, of which 54 are still undetected. There have been 129 rapes of which 118 have been detected. About 94 cases of kidnapping were registered in the last 5 years. Of these, 19 is still undetected.
Even as counterfeiting notes as well as documents have become a major cause of worry in the state, the Goa police's effort to crackdown on those who indulge in such activities doesn't seem to have yielded results. This is dramatized by the fact that of the 49 counterfeiting cases, only 8 have been detected in the last five years. There has been 1082 fatal accidents in the state from 2004 to 2008, of which about 209 are still undetected.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: From the years 2004 to 2008 an average of around 34% to 38% crime cases go undetected in the state, reveals the statement of crime of
the Goa police for the last five years from 2004 to 2008.
However, an average of 62 to 65% crime cases have been detected and almost a similar or lesser number of cases chargesheeted. But compare this to national statistics, wherein the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has stated that about 80.1% of cognizable crimes were chargesheeted.
Between 2004 and 2008, the state has seen an increase in incidents of theft and burglary. But the number of undetected cases outnumbers those detected. About 946 cases burglary and 1639 cases of theft in last five years still remain undetected. In contrast, the number of cases of burglary and theft detected in last five years is 426 and 950 respectively. The police, however, have been able to detect 61 robbery cases of the total 109 cases from 2004 to 2008. Of the 22 dacoities, 8 remain undetected. In cases of cheating, if the police have been able to crack 219 cases in the last 5 years, then 115 lie undetected.
Goa, in the last 5 years, witnessed 205 murders, of which 54 are still undetected. There have been 129 rapes of which 118 have been detected. About 94 cases of kidnapping were registered in the last 5 years. Of these, 19 is still undetected.
Even as counterfeiting notes as well as documents have become a major cause of worry in the state, the Goa police's effort to crackdown on those who indulge in such activities doesn't seem to have yielded results. This is dramatized by the fact that of the 49 counterfeiting cases, only 8 have been detected in the last five years. There has been 1082 fatal accidents in the state from 2004 to 2008, of which about 209 are still undetected.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Preetu Nair, TNN
Mystery deepens
While a shack owner filed for anticipatory bail; KRC officials said no driver reported a run over. On Wednesday, the mystery of the Russian girl’s mutilated body found on railway tracks close to Thivim station left a baffled police force looking at four possibilities. Preetu Nair reports
A shack owner has filed for anticipatory bail fearing arrest for the death of Elena Sukhonova, a 19-year-old Russian whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station.
Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach, in his anticipatory bail application before the Sessions Court in Panaji, said, "The police are bent upon arresting the applicant and detaining him in police custody. The applicant has not committed any offence in connection with the case of the death of the Russian lady."
Police sources told TOI that Vishant’s presence "is required for questioning" since, during investigations, they learnt that the shack owner, also called Vinnie, was friendly with Elena.
Vishant however, denied this, "I am not called Vinnie nor was I friendly with the girl. I must have met her once or twice when she came to my shack. She was friendly with Vinay, who is called Vinnie, who was working as a waiter in my shack."
The Russian, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had deposed before the Calangute police then and said that she was touring with Vinnie and was in love with him.
"Police have registered it as a case of unnatural death. When it is a case of unnatural death, then under section 174 read with section 175 of CrPC, a person can only be called for verifying the condition of the body and not for interrogation, nor can he be detained as contemplated in a crime case," explained Kundaikar’s counsel Ranjit Satardekar.
Meanwhile, Konkan railway officials, who have already ruled out the police theory that Elena must have fallen or been pushed out of a moving train, now claim that a train may not even have run over her on the tracks. This despite the fact that the post-mortem report states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by an object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock".
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO, Baban Ghatge, told TOI, "If there is a train run over, then the train driver has to report the matter to the next station. Nothing has been reported either by the train driver of Netravati Express or the Mandovi Express that followed it. Even the train driver of Veraval Express (which ran between 7.15am and 7.20am on the spot where the body was found), coming from Gujarat, didn’t report seeing anything on the tracks or of running over."
Tracing the sequence of events, Ghatge recounted that the body was first spotted on the tracks at 7.45am by a railway gangman, who immediately informed the station master. The gangman was then asked to clear the route for the Madgaon-Divar passenger and he therefore moved the body from the tracks. The train subsequently, departed from Thivim station at 8.15am. "Rules are very clear for the drivers. If they see anything or a train hits something on the tracks, they have to report the matter," stressed Ghatge.
With Konkan railway authorities thus ruling out an accident or even a run over, the police now, have had to change tracks. "There may have been a slip. We have now sent a team to Ratnagiri to question the train drivers who were plying on the route on the night of May 8," police sources told TOI.
The men in khaki are also looking at four possibilities of how the Russian’s body may have landed on the tracks:
Possibility 1 — Fall from train
She might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling" to Mumbai, said police sources.
Police view:
Investigations have revealed that Elena was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow taxi at about 3am on May 8. In his statement to the police, the driver has said that she told him that she wanted to go to Mumbai. This is substantiated by other taxi drivers outside a night club in Baga where she was till 3am. Moreover, another taxi driver, Venkatesh, also told police that she had called him on his cellphone, from the night club, between 11.30pm and midnight and had asked for a taxi as she wanted to board a train. Venkatesh told police that he refused to oblige as he was asleep.
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities say that people falling from a train will not come directly under the wheels because of the steps below the door. Moreover, if a person were hanging from the handles near the door, given that the train moves in a forward direction, the person’s legs would come under the wheels and be severed. The head and hands would not get cut, explained Ghatge.
KRC officials also insist that Elena didn’t have railway tickets. Moreover, she had not told her group of Russian friends or those whose statements the police have recorded, apart from the taxi drivers, that she was going to Mumbai. Her passport and luggage were still at the guest-house in Baga. And no one saw her at Thivim railway station.
Possibility 2 — Left to die
She is put on the tracks in an unconscious state by someone. This possibility crops up from the fact that there is a narrow dirt road that leads close to the railway tracks, a few meters from where Elena’s body was found.
Police view:
Investigations are on.
Gaps:
Four trains passed between Thivim and Pernem stations between 3am to 7.45am on May 8. While a goods train passed at 3.35am, Mangla Express left Thivim station at 5.02am, Netravati Express left the station at 7.09am as did Veraval Express at 7.35am. None of the drivers spotted the body nor did anyone report a run over.
Possibility 3 — Drunk and fallen
She is drunk and in an unstable condition. She walks down the tracks from Thivim railway station, collapses on the tracks and is run over by a train.
Police view:
Investigations on, but probability low.
Gaps:
None of the train drivers reported a run over. Besides, with no space to walk, Elena would have had to walk on the tracks, which would have been very difficult to do in the dark.
Possibility 4 — Mutilated elsewhere, dumped on the tracks
Someone placed her mutilated body on the tracks between 7.20am (after Hapa Express left) and 7.45am (when the body was first spotted).
Police view:
This possibility is ruled out as the post-mortem report is clear that Elena’s death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest abdominal and pelvic injuries, associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock". Rolling stock is the collective term that describes all items that move on a rail track, inclusive of both powered and unpowered vehicles
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities insist that no accident nor run over was reported.
14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
Mystery deepens
While a shack owner filed for anticipatory bail; KRC officials said no driver reported a run over. On Wednesday, the mystery of the Russian girl’s mutilated body found on railway tracks close to Thivim station left a baffled police force looking at four possibilities. Preetu Nair reports
A shack owner has filed for anticipatory bail fearing arrest for the death of Elena Sukhonova, a 19-year-old Russian whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station.
Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach, in his anticipatory bail application before the Sessions Court in Panaji, said, "The police are bent upon arresting the applicant and detaining him in police custody. The applicant has not committed any offence in connection with the case of the death of the Russian lady."
Police sources told TOI that Vishant’s presence "is required for questioning" since, during investigations, they learnt that the shack owner, also called Vinnie, was friendly with Elena.
Vishant however, denied this, "I am not called Vinnie nor was I friendly with the girl. I must have met her once or twice when she came to my shack. She was friendly with Vinay, who is called Vinnie, who was working as a waiter in my shack."
The Russian, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had deposed before the Calangute police then and said that she was touring with Vinnie and was in love with him.
"Police have registered it as a case of unnatural death. When it is a case of unnatural death, then under section 174 read with section 175 of CrPC, a person can only be called for verifying the condition of the body and not for interrogation, nor can he be detained as contemplated in a crime case," explained Kundaikar’s counsel Ranjit Satardekar.
Meanwhile, Konkan railway officials, who have already ruled out the police theory that Elena must have fallen or been pushed out of a moving train, now claim that a train may not even have run over her on the tracks. This despite the fact that the post-mortem report states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by an object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock".
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO, Baban Ghatge, told TOI, "If there is a train run over, then the train driver has to report the matter to the next station. Nothing has been reported either by the train driver of Netravati Express or the Mandovi Express that followed it. Even the train driver of Veraval Express (which ran between 7.15am and 7.20am on the spot where the body was found), coming from Gujarat, didn’t report seeing anything on the tracks or of running over."
Tracing the sequence of events, Ghatge recounted that the body was first spotted on the tracks at 7.45am by a railway gangman, who immediately informed the station master. The gangman was then asked to clear the route for the Madgaon-Divar passenger and he therefore moved the body from the tracks. The train subsequently, departed from Thivim station at 8.15am. "Rules are very clear for the drivers. If they see anything or a train hits something on the tracks, they have to report the matter," stressed Ghatge.
With Konkan railway authorities thus ruling out an accident or even a run over, the police now, have had to change tracks. "There may have been a slip. We have now sent a team to Ratnagiri to question the train drivers who were plying on the route on the night of May 8," police sources told TOI.
The men in khaki are also looking at four possibilities of how the Russian’s body may have landed on the tracks:
Possibility 1 — Fall from train
She might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling" to Mumbai, said police sources.
Police view:
Investigations have revealed that Elena was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow taxi at about 3am on May 8. In his statement to the police, the driver has said that she told him that she wanted to go to Mumbai. This is substantiated by other taxi drivers outside a night club in Baga where she was till 3am. Moreover, another taxi driver, Venkatesh, also told police that she had called him on his cellphone, from the night club, between 11.30pm and midnight and had asked for a taxi as she wanted to board a train. Venkatesh told police that he refused to oblige as he was asleep.
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities say that people falling from a train will not come directly under the wheels because of the steps below the door. Moreover, if a person were hanging from the handles near the door, given that the train moves in a forward direction, the person’s legs would come under the wheels and be severed. The head and hands would not get cut, explained Ghatge.
KRC officials also insist that Elena didn’t have railway tickets. Moreover, she had not told her group of Russian friends or those whose statements the police have recorded, apart from the taxi drivers, that she was going to Mumbai. Her passport and luggage were still at the guest-house in Baga. And no one saw her at Thivim railway station.
Possibility 2 — Left to die
She is put on the tracks in an unconscious state by someone. This possibility crops up from the fact that there is a narrow dirt road that leads close to the railway tracks, a few meters from where Elena’s body was found.
Police view:
Investigations are on.
Gaps:
Four trains passed between Thivim and Pernem stations between 3am to 7.45am on May 8. While a goods train passed at 3.35am, Mangla Express left Thivim station at 5.02am, Netravati Express left the station at 7.09am as did Veraval Express at 7.35am. None of the drivers spotted the body nor did anyone report a run over.
Possibility 3 — Drunk and fallen
She is drunk and in an unstable condition. She walks down the tracks from Thivim railway station, collapses on the tracks and is run over by a train.
Police view:
Investigations on, but probability low.
Gaps:
None of the train drivers reported a run over. Besides, with no space to walk, Elena would have had to walk on the tracks, which would have been very difficult to do in the dark.
Possibility 4 — Mutilated elsewhere, dumped on the tracks
Someone placed her mutilated body on the tracks between 7.20am (after Hapa Express left) and 7.45am (when the body was first spotted).
Police view:
This possibility is ruled out as the post-mortem report is clear that Elena’s death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest abdominal and pelvic injuries, associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock". Rolling stock is the collective term that describes all items that move on a rail track, inclusive of both powered and unpowered vehicles
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities insist that no accident nor run over was reported.
14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: While a shack owner has sought anticipatory bail in connection with the death of Elena Sukhanova, 19, whose body was found on the railway tracks in North Goa, police are looking at four different ways in which her death could have occurred.
Police seek to question Vishant Kundaikar claiming he is called Vinnie and was friendly with Elena. Vishant denied this.
The police are looking at four ways in which Elena could have died and these include Elena falling from the train, her being left unconscious on the tracks, her having been drunk and falling on the tracks, and of her being killed elsewhere and dumped on the tracks.
Article appeared on 14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
For more read The Times of India, Goa edition Page 2
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: While a shack owner has sought anticipatory bail in connection with the death of Elena Sukhanova, 19, whose body was found on the railway tracks in North Goa, police are looking at four different ways in which her death could have occurred.
Police seek to question Vishant Kundaikar claiming he is called Vinnie and was friendly with Elena. Vishant denied this.
The police are looking at four ways in which Elena could have died and these include Elena falling from the train, her being left unconscious on the tracks, her having been drunk and falling on the tracks, and of her being killed elsewhere and dumped on the tracks.
Article appeared on 14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
For more read The Times of India, Goa edition Page 2
HC rejects Mancic's plea to stay in Goa
HC rejects Mancic's plea to stay in Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the high court of Bombay at Goa rejecting Polish national Adam Mancic's plea that he shouldn't be removed from the state, he will be
taken to Delhi for extradition soon, crime branch sources have said.
Vacation judge U D Salvi observed on Wednesday that "the right of the petitioner to contest the request of extradition has not been taken away by the state". "As a matter of fact, the production of the petitioner before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi, will enable the petitioner to effectively agitate his right to contest the extradition request," observed the judge.
Mancic was arrested in Goa after a warrant was issued against him by the Tiergarten magistrate, Germany, for shooting dead a businessman in Germany on November 3, 2008. The arrest warrant was issued through Interpol.
Mancic had subsequently, approached the high court for interim relief with a prayer that his detention by the state government, which was beyond a period of 60 days, was in breach of Article 14 (4) of the extradition treaty between the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Germany and was illegal and therefore, he deserved to be protected in terms of requiring an embargo on his movement in Goa.
His counsel, K Paulekar submitted that the breach of the said Article comes into being as the petitioner had been detained in custody for over a period of 60 days and the state government had not received the request for extradition and documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
Public prosecutor C A Ferreira however, argued that the order dated May 5, 2009, passed by the Government of India, required the production of Mancic before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi for contesting the request made by the government under section 15 of the Extradition Act, 1962.
He also pointed to the petitioner's criminal background and said that it is the obligation of the government to initiate action under the Extradition Act to extradite the petitioner to the country were he has to stand trial for the commission of an offence of murder.
After hearing both sides, the judge observed that it would be too hasty to conclude that the Government of India had not received a request for extradition along with the documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
May 14,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the high court of Bombay at Goa rejecting Polish national Adam Mancic's plea that he shouldn't be removed from the state, he will be
taken to Delhi for extradition soon, crime branch sources have said.
Vacation judge U D Salvi observed on Wednesday that "the right of the petitioner to contest the request of extradition has not been taken away by the state". "As a matter of fact, the production of the petitioner before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi, will enable the petitioner to effectively agitate his right to contest the extradition request," observed the judge.
Mancic was arrested in Goa after a warrant was issued against him by the Tiergarten magistrate, Germany, for shooting dead a businessman in Germany on November 3, 2008. The arrest warrant was issued through Interpol.
Mancic had subsequently, approached the high court for interim relief with a prayer that his detention by the state government, which was beyond a period of 60 days, was in breach of Article 14 (4) of the extradition treaty between the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Germany and was illegal and therefore, he deserved to be protected in terms of requiring an embargo on his movement in Goa.
His counsel, K Paulekar submitted that the breach of the said Article comes into being as the petitioner had been detained in custody for over a period of 60 days and the state government had not received the request for extradition and documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
Public prosecutor C A Ferreira however, argued that the order dated May 5, 2009, passed by the Government of India, required the production of Mancic before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi for contesting the request made by the government under section 15 of the Extradition Act, 1962.
He also pointed to the petitioner's criminal background and said that it is the obligation of the government to initiate action under the Extradition Act to extradite the petitioner to the country were he has to stand trial for the commission of an offence of murder.
After hearing both sides, the judge observed that it would be too hasty to conclude that the Government of India had not received a request for extradition along with the documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
May 14,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Russian teenager's death: Cops quiz waiter
Russian teenager's death: Cops quiz waiter
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police on Tuesday questioned Vinay Haldankar alias Vinny a shack waiter, reportedly close to Russian teenager Elena Sukhnova, 19, whose
mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 kms north of Thivim on Friday.
Vinay was missing since Elena's death and was picked up on Tuesday morning from Calangute. Elena, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had told the Calangute police that she had been touring with Vinay and was in love with him.
"He is being interrogated along with two others. We neither concede nor rule out his involvement in the crime," a senior police official stated.
Police are also on the look out for another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job as he was friendly with Elena. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police on Tuesday questioned Vinay Haldankar alias Vinny a shack waiter, reportedly close to Russian teenager Elena Sukhnova, 19, whose
mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 kms north of Thivim on Friday.
Vinay was missing since Elena's death and was picked up on Tuesday morning from Calangute. Elena, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had told the Calangute police that she had been touring with Vinay and was in love with him.
"He is being interrogated along with two others. We neither concede nor rule out his involvement in the crime," a senior police official stated.
Police are also on the look out for another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job as he was friendly with Elena. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russian consulate shoots letter to CM
Russian consulate shoots letter to CM
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With mystery continuing to surround the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks in the state on Friday morning, the Russian authorities have now written to chief minister Digambar Kamat to "take the course of investigation under your personal control".
In his letter to the chief minister dated May 11, consul general Alexander V Mantytsky from the Russian consultate in Mumbai said that the case has already drawn the attention of official authorities in Russia as well as that of Russian nationals in Russia and India.
"The consul general requests your excellency to take the course of investigation under your personal control and give instructions to carry out investigation at the earliest and keep the consul general well-informed on the above matter," the letter added.
Vikram Varma, the advocate authorized by the Russian consul general to take necessary action in connection with the investigation of the unnatural death of the 19-year-old Elena Sukhonova, while speaking to TOI said, "The Russian authorities are concerned about the death of Sukhonova. The matter is being monitored at the highest level by Russian authorities at Mumbai and also at Delhi."
"Having visited the scene where Sukhonova's mutilated body was found, the accident theory doesn't seem conclusive.
"There are some unanswered questions that we have raised with the investigating team and we indeed have confidence that the investigating team will look into it"," Varma said.
However, the lawyer refused to elaborate on what exactly the unaswered questions were.
The Russian authorities, who had also made a request with the superintendent of police (North) on April 9 for the deceased Sukhonova's passport and other identity documents, panchanama, photographs of the deceased, besides a copy of the first information report (FIR) and the postmortem report are still awaiting the same from the police.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With mystery continuing to surround the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks in the state on Friday morning, the Russian authorities have now written to chief minister Digambar Kamat to "take the course of investigation under your personal control".
In his letter to the chief minister dated May 11, consul general Alexander V Mantytsky from the Russian consultate in Mumbai said that the case has already drawn the attention of official authorities in Russia as well as that of Russian nationals in Russia and India.
"The consul general requests your excellency to take the course of investigation under your personal control and give instructions to carry out investigation at the earliest and keep the consul general well-informed on the above matter," the letter added.
Vikram Varma, the advocate authorized by the Russian consul general to take necessary action in connection with the investigation of the unnatural death of the 19-year-old Elena Sukhonova, while speaking to TOI said, "The Russian authorities are concerned about the death of Sukhonova. The matter is being monitored at the highest level by Russian authorities at Mumbai and also at Delhi."
"Having visited the scene where Sukhonova's mutilated body was found, the accident theory doesn't seem conclusive.
"There are some unanswered questions that we have raised with the investigating team and we indeed have confidence that the investigating team will look into it"," Varma said.
However, the lawyer refused to elaborate on what exactly the unaswered questions were.
The Russian authorities, who had also made a request with the superintendent of police (North) on April 9 for the deceased Sukhonova's passport and other identity documents, panchanama, photographs of the deceased, besides a copy of the first information report (FIR) and the postmortem report are still awaiting the same from the police.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
'Blunt force caused death of Russian girl'
'Blunt force caused death of Russian girl'
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The postmortem report of the 19-year-old Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks at Tivim, states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Railway officials continued to rule out the police's rail accident' theory saying that chances of the girl falling from the train were bleak.
Forensic doctor A V Fenandes of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim in his report said that the death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Elena Sukhonova's viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis. Police sources said that her viscera will be sent for chemical analysis to detect whether she had consumed any alcoholic or narcotic substance.
The GMC has also preserved one of her molars for DNA profiling. Her body was found on the tracks by railway gangmen around 7.45am on Friday approximately 3.5 km from Tivim station.
Confirming the postmortem report, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, "Inquiry into the case is in progress and it is too early to call it murder, accident or even suicide. We have registered a case of unnatural death'."
The police have asked for details of the ticket collectors of the Mangla Express and Netravati Express, and the passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station. "There were some passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station on that day," said police sources.
Police sources added that perhaps when Elena slipped, she may have clung to the handle of the train and that her left ankle could have got entangled in the wheel. However, railway authorities disputed the police theory.
"People falling from the train will not come directly under the wheels as there are steps below the door. If you were hanging on the door when the train was moving in the forward direction, then your legs would have come under the wheels and not the hands, head and the rest of the body," said Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO Baban Ghatge.
Ghatge also said that their records don't show a Russian having bought a ticket to travel to Mumbai from Tivim or any other station in Goa.
"None of our railway staff at Tivim station saw her at the station in the early hours of May 8. There were very few passengers early in the morning and even the shops were closed. There were three railway staff on duty that night," he added.
Police investigations had revealed that she was dropped at the Tivim railway station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai.
From the evidence available, it appears that she might have travelled either on the Mangala Express that left Tivim at 5.02am or the Netravati Express that left at 7.09 am. And, somehow she might fallen from the train when she was travelling'.
Incidentally, a local boy whom the girl befriended, is absconding and both the Calangute and Mapusa police have been hunting for him.
Incidentally, Elena had told the Calangute police that she wanted to stay in Goa as she was in love with Vinay alias Vinny.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The postmortem report of the 19-year-old Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks at Tivim, states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Railway officials continued to rule out the police's rail accident' theory saying that chances of the girl falling from the train were bleak.
Forensic doctor A V Fenandes of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim in his report said that the death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Elena Sukhonova's viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis. Police sources said that her viscera will be sent for chemical analysis to detect whether she had consumed any alcoholic or narcotic substance.
The GMC has also preserved one of her molars for DNA profiling. Her body was found on the tracks by railway gangmen around 7.45am on Friday approximately 3.5 km from Tivim station.
Confirming the postmortem report, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, "Inquiry into the case is in progress and it is too early to call it murder, accident or even suicide. We have registered a case of unnatural death'."
The police have asked for details of the ticket collectors of the Mangla Express and Netravati Express, and the passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station. "There were some passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station on that day," said police sources.
Police sources added that perhaps when Elena slipped, she may have clung to the handle of the train and that her left ankle could have got entangled in the wheel. However, railway authorities disputed the police theory.
"People falling from the train will not come directly under the wheels as there are steps below the door. If you were hanging on the door when the train was moving in the forward direction, then your legs would have come under the wheels and not the hands, head and the rest of the body," said Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO Baban Ghatge.
Ghatge also said that their records don't show a Russian having bought a ticket to travel to Mumbai from Tivim or any other station in Goa.
"None of our railway staff at Tivim station saw her at the station in the early hours of May 8. There were very few passengers early in the morning and even the shops were closed. There were three railway staff on duty that night," he added.
Police investigations had revealed that she was dropped at the Tivim railway station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai.
From the evidence available, it appears that she might have travelled either on the Mangala Express that left Tivim at 5.02am or the Netravati Express that left at 7.09 am. And, somehow she might fallen from the train when she was travelling'.
Incidentally, a local boy whom the girl befriended, is absconding and both the Calangute and Mapusa police have been hunting for him.
Incidentally, Elena had told the Calangute police that she wanted to stay in Goa as she was in love with Vinay alias Vinny.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Major films girl in nude, arrested
Army Major films girl in nude, arrested
TNN
PANAJI: Panaji police arrested an army major on Monday for outraging the modesty of a 19-year-old Mumbai college student by filming her in the nude and using the footage to blackmail her.
Panaji police said that major Tarun Singh, 27, from New Delhi, presently posted at Corps Signal, Srinagar, filmed the 19-year-old girl who was on vacation along with her mother and aunt and staying in the same city hotel as Singh.
Singh, a bachelor, was on a holiday with his family — parents and sister — and the family had checked into a room adjacent to the victim's on May 9.
According to the police, at around 4.30 pm on May 9, Singh, from his room balcony leant over and dislodging the bathroom ventilator of the girl's room filmed her nude on his cellphone. "The girl got suspicious and informed her mother, but they didn't find anything. However, they received a call from a male on the room intercom at 1.30 am on May 10," police sources said.
The girl's mother answered the phone and the caller told the mother about possessing video of the girl in the nude and asked to meet her. The mother, however, declined and said that they would meet and discuss the situation in the morning.
"In the morning, when they opened the door, they found a note stating that the writer of the note had the girl's nude video and if she didn't meet him by 10 am on May 11, he would upload the footage on the internet," police sources said. The note had an email address for the girl to contact him.
On the same day the accused made two calls on the room intercom. While he didn't speak the first time as the mother received the call, the second time when the girl answered, he again threatened her, police sources said.
"Upset, the girl filed a police complaint on Sunday," police sources said.
A police team led by Panaji PI N Raposo searched the hotel and zeroed in on the army officer. "On checking his laptop we found the girl's video stored in it. The accused admitted to transferring the clip from his mobile to the laptop," added police sources. They have attached both the mobile and the laptop.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Panaji police arrested an army major on Monday for outraging the modesty of a 19-year-old Mumbai college student by filming her in the nude and using the footage to blackmail her.
Panaji police said that major Tarun Singh, 27, from New Delhi, presently posted at Corps Signal, Srinagar, filmed the 19-year-old girl who was on vacation along with her mother and aunt and staying in the same city hotel as Singh.
Singh, a bachelor, was on a holiday with his family — parents and sister — and the family had checked into a room adjacent to the victim's on May 9.
According to the police, at around 4.30 pm on May 9, Singh, from his room balcony leant over and dislodging the bathroom ventilator of the girl's room filmed her nude on his cellphone. "The girl got suspicious and informed her mother, but they didn't find anything. However, they received a call from a male on the room intercom at 1.30 am on May 10," police sources said.
The girl's mother answered the phone and the caller told the mother about possessing video of the girl in the nude and asked to meet her. The mother, however, declined and said that they would meet and discuss the situation in the morning.
"In the morning, when they opened the door, they found a note stating that the writer of the note had the girl's nude video and if she didn't meet him by 10 am on May 11, he would upload the footage on the internet," police sources said. The note had an email address for the girl to contact him.
On the same day the accused made two calls on the room intercom. While he didn't speak the first time as the mother received the call, the second time when the girl answered, he again threatened her, police sources said.
"Upset, the girl filed a police complaint on Sunday," police sources said.
A police team led by Panaji PI N Raposo searched the hotel and zeroed in on the army officer. "On checking his laptop we found the girl's video stored in it. The accused admitted to transferring the clip from his mobile to the laptop," added police sources. They have attached both the mobile and the laptop.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Man dies after night out dancing
Man dies after night out dancing
TNN
PANAJI: A 34-year-old man danced himself to death at his Ukrainian girlfriend's house at Siolim on Sunday morning.
Anjuna police said that David Fernandes of Arpora, owner of the house, said that at 1 pm the body of Ali Merchant, resident of Bandra, Mumbai was found in the rented house of his 32-year-old Ukrainian girlfriend, who is a professional dancer.
Investigations revealed that Merchant was working as a project manager for builder Sumeet Chopra in Sangolda.
Police sources said that on Saturday, Merchant along with his girlfriend were seen at a popular night club till about 2 am. He then left the night club, went to the room and slept.
"At about 6 am, he went to his girlfriend's room with a liquor bottle and from 6 to 8 am they danced in the room. They then went to sleep in separate rooms. Later at 1 pm as he was not picking up his mobile phone, which was constantly ringing, she tried to wake him up, but he didn't move," said police sources. She called for the ambulance service, who on arrival declared Merchant dead.
Police said that the deceased was a habitual alcoholic and there was no injury on his body. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: A 34-year-old man danced himself to death at his Ukrainian girlfriend's house at Siolim on Sunday morning.
Anjuna police said that David Fernandes of Arpora, owner of the house, said that at 1 pm the body of Ali Merchant, resident of Bandra, Mumbai was found in the rented house of his 32-year-old Ukrainian girlfriend, who is a professional dancer.
Investigations revealed that Merchant was working as a project manager for builder Sumeet Chopra in Sangolda.
Police sources said that on Saturday, Merchant along with his girlfriend were seen at a popular night club till about 2 am. He then left the night club, went to the room and slept.
"At about 6 am, he went to his girlfriend's room with a liquor bottle and from 6 to 8 am they danced in the room. They then went to sleep in separate rooms. Later at 1 pm as he was not picking up his mobile phone, which was constantly ringing, she tried to wake him up, but he didn't move," said police sources. She called for the ambulance service, who on arrival declared Merchant dead.
Police said that the deceased was a habitual alcoholic and there was no injury on his body. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, May 11, 2009
Now, love angle to Russian girl's death
Now, love angle to Russian girl's death
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 19-year-old Russian girl, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks in Goa, didn’t want to leave the state as she had
fallen in love.
Police sources told TOI that Elena Sukhonova had said this in a statement to the cops on May 6. According to the statement, Elena was in love with a boy named Vinay alias Vinny, working as a waiter at a shack on the Baga beach.
However, when told of this, the shack owner expressed surprise. He said, “Vinay left the job a month and a half back. He used to come to meet us sometimes. The girl must have come to the shack twice but I don’t think they were in love.” Elena’s body was found by railway gangmen at around 7.45 am on Friday about 3.5 kms north of Thivim railway station.
Elena’s statement was recorded by the Calangute police after the general manager of a hotel at Baga-Calangute had lodged a missing complaint on May 5 stating that Elena, whose tourist visa was to expire on July 1, 2009, and staying in the hotel and had gone missing from around 2 am on May 3.
In the complaint, the resort’s GM also said the Russian teenager had checked into the hotel on April 19 and was to check out on May 3. But on the day of the departure, she was not in the room, though her luggage and ticket were there. Elena, the GM said, had disappeared with the room key.
The hotel GM told TOI, “A hotel security guard spotted her early morning at 1.30 am on May 6 near our resort. We persuaded her to come to the hotel and also informed the police. She told the police that she was staying in a guest house. We asked her to return the room key and the police asked her to stay in our resort and recorded her statement, after which she left.”
The resort staff said that the teenager loved to party late at night. She had also dated a 22-year-old waiter from Himachal Pradesh, Bir Singh. However, when the hotel authorities came to know about it on April 24, Bir was asked to resign. “Bir left Goa on May 6 and is now at Himachal Pradesh,” police sources said.
Meanwhile, the police refused to comment on the mutilated body, citing the election code of conduct.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon. “We are waiting for a representative from the Russian consulate to come,” said a doctor from the Goa medical college and hospital.
KR officials refute cops’ argument
Later in an “appeal” released to the media, the police said, “Investigation revealed that she was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow cab at about 3 am on May 8 and she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai. From available evidence it appears that she might have travelled either on Mangala Express which left Thivim at 5.02 am or Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am and ‘somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling’.”
However, the police argument of Elena having fallen from the train is disputed by Konkan Railway officials. A railway engineer said, “A person falling on the tracks from a running train and getting killed is next to impossible. If a person slips and falls from the train the body gets entangled in the wheel and then can be pushed into the tracks, but this is rare. Generally a person who slips or is pushed falls away from the tracks and not on the tracks.”
Calangute police sources also said that in her statement, Elena said that after leaving the resort she went to Anjuna and was staying at another place. However, according to the guest house register and its staff Elena checked into the hotel room at 8 pm on May 6 and was to check out at 10 am on May 8. She had also paid the rent for two days in Indian currency.
The guest house staff added, “On May 7 at 10 pm she left with a handbag and kept her luggage in the room. She also took the room key with her.” Police sources said that later she was spotted at a popular night club in Baga till the wee hours of May 8 and she was there with a 39-year-old Russian
May 11,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 19-year-old Russian girl, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks in Goa, didn’t want to leave the state as she had
fallen in love.
Police sources told TOI that Elena Sukhonova had said this in a statement to the cops on May 6. According to the statement, Elena was in love with a boy named Vinay alias Vinny, working as a waiter at a shack on the Baga beach.
However, when told of this, the shack owner expressed surprise. He said, “Vinay left the job a month and a half back. He used to come to meet us sometimes. The girl must have come to the shack twice but I don’t think they were in love.” Elena’s body was found by railway gangmen at around 7.45 am on Friday about 3.5 kms north of Thivim railway station.
Elena’s statement was recorded by the Calangute police after the general manager of a hotel at Baga-Calangute had lodged a missing complaint on May 5 stating that Elena, whose tourist visa was to expire on July 1, 2009, and staying in the hotel and had gone missing from around 2 am on May 3.
In the complaint, the resort’s GM also said the Russian teenager had checked into the hotel on April 19 and was to check out on May 3. But on the day of the departure, she was not in the room, though her luggage and ticket were there. Elena, the GM said, had disappeared with the room key.
The hotel GM told TOI, “A hotel security guard spotted her early morning at 1.30 am on May 6 near our resort. We persuaded her to come to the hotel and also informed the police. She told the police that she was staying in a guest house. We asked her to return the room key and the police asked her to stay in our resort and recorded her statement, after which she left.”
The resort staff said that the teenager loved to party late at night. She had also dated a 22-year-old waiter from Himachal Pradesh, Bir Singh. However, when the hotel authorities came to know about it on April 24, Bir was asked to resign. “Bir left Goa on May 6 and is now at Himachal Pradesh,” police sources said.
Meanwhile, the police refused to comment on the mutilated body, citing the election code of conduct.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon. “We are waiting for a representative from the Russian consulate to come,” said a doctor from the Goa medical college and hospital.
KR officials refute cops’ argument
Later in an “appeal” released to the media, the police said, “Investigation revealed that she was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow cab at about 3 am on May 8 and she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai. From available evidence it appears that she might have travelled either on Mangala Express which left Thivim at 5.02 am or Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am and ‘somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling’.”
However, the police argument of Elena having fallen from the train is disputed by Konkan Railway officials. A railway engineer said, “A person falling on the tracks from a running train and getting killed is next to impossible. If a person slips and falls from the train the body gets entangled in the wheel and then can be pushed into the tracks, but this is rare. Generally a person who slips or is pushed falls away from the tracks and not on the tracks.”
Calangute police sources also said that in her statement, Elena said that after leaving the resort she went to Anjuna and was staying at another place. However, according to the guest house register and its staff Elena checked into the hotel room at 8 pm on May 6 and was to check out at 10 am on May 8. She had also paid the rent for two days in Indian currency.
The guest house staff added, “On May 7 at 10 pm she left with a handbag and kept her luggage in the room. She also took the room key with her.” Police sources said that later she was spotted at a popular night club in Baga till the wee hours of May 8 and she was there with a 39-year-old Russian
May 11,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Only 39% sex workers know about HIV prevention: Study
Only 39% sex workers know about HIV prevention: Study
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: After the demolition of the Baina red light area in 2004, only one in five female sex workers in the state have had access to the free
condoms provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). This number should have been close to 80% as envisaged under the national AIDS control programme. Further, with sex workers in Goa now widely dispersed, only 38.7 % have had exposure to HIV prevention methods while 30.7 % have no knowledge of the disease.
Moreover, only 21% female sex workers (FSWs) have been able to avail of free condoms from the government or NGO. While 15.8% don't use condoms, another 29.7% were forced to indulge in sexual activity sans any protection. In a majority of cases, however, customers tend to bring condoms to the FSW, reveals a study titled, "The burden and determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in a population based sample of female sex workers in Goa".
Conducted by two NGOs, namely Sangath and Positive People, it is published in the journal, Sexually Transmitted Infections' in 2009.
NACO classifies FSWs in the high risk group and, to ensure an overall reduction in the epidemic, their targeted interventions are aimed to effect a behavioural change through awareness. "Youth and illiteracy, indebtedness and support of dependents, migrant status and exposure to violence, limited access to HIV prevention and sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment services, contribute to the vulnerability of sex workers," said Maryam Shahmanesh, who is part of the study.
The Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) project director Pradeep Padwal said that the mapping of areas where the "needy" are placed is in progress. "We have to identify where the needy are or, conversely, they will have to approach places where we are based. We are trying our best to reach the needy," he said.
However, this is easier said than done. "Sex workers have spread across the state. NGOs don't have access to them and they don't want to avail of government facilities for the fear of being identified or stigmatized," said Arun Pandey of Arz, an NGO which was used to work with trafficked victims at Baina.
The study comprises a sample of 326 female sex workers in the state. It reveals that infections were common with a 25.7% prevalence of HIV and 22.5% prevalence of bacterial STIs in sex workers. A majority of the FSWs studied are in the age group of 21 and 25. While most were from Karnataka, there were about 54 from Goa and 37 from Andhra Pradesh selected for the study.
Sex workers are widely dispersed; practising in 557 different lodges, establishments and other areas. While 57.8 % resort to bar, lodge or brothel-based sex work, there are about 28% home-based sex workers and 22.7% street-based sex workers in Goa after the demolition of the Baina red light area. About 20.6 %, FSWs started young, at the age of 16, the study added.
8 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: After the demolition of the Baina red light area in 2004, only one in five female sex workers in the state have had access to the free
condoms provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). This number should have been close to 80% as envisaged under the national AIDS control programme. Further, with sex workers in Goa now widely dispersed, only 38.7 % have had exposure to HIV prevention methods while 30.7 % have no knowledge of the disease.
Moreover, only 21% female sex workers (FSWs) have been able to avail of free condoms from the government or NGO. While 15.8% don't use condoms, another 29.7% were forced to indulge in sexual activity sans any protection. In a majority of cases, however, customers tend to bring condoms to the FSW, reveals a study titled, "The burden and determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in a population based sample of female sex workers in Goa".
Conducted by two NGOs, namely Sangath and Positive People, it is published in the journal, Sexually Transmitted Infections' in 2009.
NACO classifies FSWs in the high risk group and, to ensure an overall reduction in the epidemic, their targeted interventions are aimed to effect a behavioural change through awareness. "Youth and illiteracy, indebtedness and support of dependents, migrant status and exposure to violence, limited access to HIV prevention and sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment services, contribute to the vulnerability of sex workers," said Maryam Shahmanesh, who is part of the study.
The Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) project director Pradeep Padwal said that the mapping of areas where the "needy" are placed is in progress. "We have to identify where the needy are or, conversely, they will have to approach places where we are based. We are trying our best to reach the needy," he said.
However, this is easier said than done. "Sex workers have spread across the state. NGOs don't have access to them and they don't want to avail of government facilities for the fear of being identified or stigmatized," said Arun Pandey of Arz, an NGO which was used to work with trafficked victims at Baina.
The study comprises a sample of 326 female sex workers in the state. It reveals that infections were common with a 25.7% prevalence of HIV and 22.5% prevalence of bacterial STIs in sex workers. A majority of the FSWs studied are in the age group of 21 and 25. While most were from Karnataka, there were about 54 from Goa and 37 from Andhra Pradesh selected for the study.
Sex workers are widely dispersed; practising in 557 different lodges, establishments and other areas. While 57.8 % resort to bar, lodge or brothel-based sex work, there are about 28% home-based sex workers and 22.7% street-based sex workers in Goa after the demolition of the Baina red light area. About 20.6 %, FSWs started young, at the age of 16, the study added.
8 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rare breed of vulture spotted in Goa after eight years
Rare breed of vulture spotted in Goa after eight years
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An Indian white-rumped vulture was spotted in Goa after a gap of almost eight years.
According to bird lovers and forest officials, this particular breed of vulture was last spotted in Goa sometime in 2001.
Wildlife photographer Prasanna Parab spotted a "big white rumped vulture" on March 15, 2009 near the highway at Panzorconi, near Cuncolim and captured it on camera. The vulture, which has not been spotted since is bald, with broad wings and a short tail and has now become a subject of discussion among bird watchers.
"Nearly 99% of vultures are now extinct. Of six species of vultures, three the Indian white-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vultureare facing extinction. The Indian white-rumped vulture was last spotted in 2001. About 12 long-billed vultures were documented in the state five years back, but today there is only one remaining in the borders of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. Four nests of long-billed vultures were spotted five years back, but now there are none," said Parag Rangnekar of Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade.
Carl D'Silva, state coordinator for Bombay Natural History Society said, "This is a rare occasion. The vultures use thermals (warm air currents) to fly. As the temperature has touched 40?C in western India, maybe there is a movement to some other place as vultures prefer ambient temperatures".
The Indian white-rumped vulture is listed in the IUCN Red Data List as a critically endangered species which faces a threat of extinction in the near future. "The Goa meat factory, near Merck factory at Tisk (Usgao) was a well known site for hundreds of white rumped vultures between 1995 and 2000. But after the closure of the factory, there have been no reported sightings ever since", said a range forest officer in the state.
Also known as nature cleaner, the Indian white-rumped vulture is a scavenger preying mainly on dead animals and forest officials believe that the main factor for the decline of the species was poisoning due to Diclofenae, a veterinary drug which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that causes kidney failure in birds eating the carcass of cattle treated by this drug.
Environmentalists admit that there has been a catastrophic decline in the vulture population all over the country. The minimum decline in white-backed vulture numbers in India during 1992-2003 was 99.7% and that for Long-billed/Slender-billed was 97.4%. This corresponds with a minimum estimated rate of decline of 34% per year for white-rumped vultures and 27% per year for the long-billed/slender-billed group.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An Indian white-rumped vulture was spotted in Goa after a gap of almost eight years.
According to bird lovers and forest officials, this particular breed of vulture was last spotted in Goa sometime in 2001.
Wildlife photographer Prasanna Parab spotted a "big white rumped vulture" on March 15, 2009 near the highway at Panzorconi, near Cuncolim and captured it on camera. The vulture, which has not been spotted since is bald, with broad wings and a short tail and has now become a subject of discussion among bird watchers.
"Nearly 99% of vultures are now extinct. Of six species of vultures, three the Indian white-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vultureare facing extinction. The Indian white-rumped vulture was last spotted in 2001. About 12 long-billed vultures were documented in the state five years back, but today there is only one remaining in the borders of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. Four nests of long-billed vultures were spotted five years back, but now there are none," said Parag Rangnekar of Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade.
Carl D'Silva, state coordinator for Bombay Natural History Society said, "This is a rare occasion. The vultures use thermals (warm air currents) to fly. As the temperature has touched 40?C in western India, maybe there is a movement to some other place as vultures prefer ambient temperatures".
The Indian white-rumped vulture is listed in the IUCN Red Data List as a critically endangered species which faces a threat of extinction in the near future. "The Goa meat factory, near Merck factory at Tisk (Usgao) was a well known site for hundreds of white rumped vultures between 1995 and 2000. But after the closure of the factory, there have been no reported sightings ever since", said a range forest officer in the state.
Also known as nature cleaner, the Indian white-rumped vulture is a scavenger preying mainly on dead animals and forest officials believe that the main factor for the decline of the species was poisoning due to Diclofenae, a veterinary drug which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that causes kidney failure in birds eating the carcass of cattle treated by this drug.
Environmentalists admit that there has been a catastrophic decline in the vulture population all over the country. The minimum decline in white-backed vulture numbers in India during 1992-2003 was 99.7% and that for Long-billed/Slender-billed was 97.4%. This corresponds with a minimum estimated rate of decline of 34% per year for white-rumped vultures and 27% per year for the long-billed/slender-billed group.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa police are probing death of Russian girl
Goa police are probing death of Russian girl
PANAJI: Goa police are investigating into the death of 24-year-old Russian girl whose mutilated body was found on Railway tracks near Mapusa town
on Friday morning.
Police stated that Elena Sukhnovas scattered body organs were found on the track at Revora village, 15 kms away from here.
The Russian girl was apparently holidaying in Goa and had checked in at a lodge at Baga, a beach village in North Goa.
"We inquired with the lodge owner who confirmed that the girl checked in on May 6 and later went out with hotel keys on May 7 at 10.30 pm," Mapusa town police, who are investigating into the case, said.
The dead body was traced on the tracks at 8 am next day.
Although police initially felt that the girl may have died after falling off from the train, they are also investigating the case from different angles.
The dead body is sent for post-mortem, which will give directions to the police investigation.
Meanwhile, Russian consulate has taken cognizance of the death. "We are awaiting few details from the police. Also the post-mortem report would be crucial," Vikram Varma, legal advisory for Russian consulate said.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: Goa police are investigating into the death of 24-year-old Russian girl whose mutilated body was found on Railway tracks near Mapusa town
on Friday morning.
Police stated that Elena Sukhnovas scattered body organs were found on the track at Revora village, 15 kms away from here.
The Russian girl was apparently holidaying in Goa and had checked in at a lodge at Baga, a beach village in North Goa.
"We inquired with the lodge owner who confirmed that the girl checked in on May 6 and later went out with hotel keys on May 7 at 10.30 pm," Mapusa town police, who are investigating into the case, said.
The dead body was traced on the tracks at 8 am next day.
Although police initially felt that the girl may have died after falling off from the train, they are also investigating the case from different angles.
The dead body is sent for post-mortem, which will give directions to the police investigation.
Meanwhile, Russian consulate has taken cognizance of the death. "We are awaiting few details from the police. Also the post-mortem report would be crucial," Vikram Varma, legal advisory for Russian consulate said.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Where is 61% Goa's Industrial waste going?
Where is 61% Goa's Industrial waste going?
PANAJI: Just 39% of Goa’s industrial hazardous waste is disposed at Taloja, Maharashtra, with no one certain of how the rest of the 12,098 metric tonnes is disposed.
In the absence of an industrial waste treatment, storage and disposal plant in the state, industry claims that the remaining waste is held by the industry in their units.
This is, however, countered by environmentalists who say that undisposed hazardous waste is dumped at night. Environmentalists said that such waste can cause public health problems as well as long-term health effects and environmental pollution.
Villagers have also opposed the proposed treatment, storage and disposal facility at Dharbandora.
Goa generates about 12,098 metric tonnes per annum (MTA) of industrial hazardous waste. Only 39% of this—which is incineratable waste—is transported to Taloja in Maharashtra. No one is sure where the rest of the waste—15% recyclable and about 46% landfillable—is disposed off in the absence of an industrial waste treatment, storage and disposal plant in the state.
“Only the incineratable hazardous industrial waste is transported to Taloja. The rest of the waste is stored by industries within their premises,” says Joseph D’Souza, founder president, Industrial Waste Management Association of Goa.
Not everyone in the field, however, agrees. “Many industries dump the waste as there is no landfill site,” admitted an industry insider.
This is confirmed by police sources who told TOI, “They (industries) dump their waste in the night. Since no one has lodged a complaint yet, we can’t take any action.”
“What is happening in Goa is illegal,” says environmentalist Claude Alvares. A member of the Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous waste, he explains that the apex court in its 2003 ruling ordered that hazardous waste “be disposed off in an engineered landfill site by 2004”.
“But in Goa nothing has changed. The SC order clearly states that if there is no landfill site for industrial hazardous waste then it is the responsibility of the (Goa) state pollution control board to close down such units till the site is ready. Nothing of the sort has happened in Goa,” says Alvares.
Goa State Pollution Control Board officials however, insist, “The industries keep (hazardous waste) covered within their premises. Moreover, Nicomet industries which alone produces about 70% of the total hazardous waste generated in the state, has now constructed its own landfill site which can be used for up to 3 years. By that time the plant at Dharbandora will be ready.”
On April 16, 2008, the state government notified land admeasuring 1,10,390 sq m in survey no 193/3 of Dharbandora, Sanguem taluka for a common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility for industries. However, local opposition (see adjoining story) has left the matter in limbo.
Incidentally, the environmental impact assessment for the proposed Dharbandora site had shown that an estimate of about 248 hazardous waste generating units in Goa are registered under the hazardous waste act and together generate 12,098 MTA of hazardous waste.
Of this, 5,605 MTA is landfillable waste, 4,708 MTA is incineratable waste and about 1,785 MTA is recyclable waste which can be transferred for safe storage and disposal, the report prepared for the Goa Industrial Development Corporation by Ramky Infra Consulting Pvt Ltd, revealed.
In Goa, hazardous waste comprises of used oil, waste oil and residues containing oil, residues from zinc ash and skimming, arsenic-bearing sludge, phosphate sludge, waste and residues in production and use of paints, residue and waste from formulation of pharmaceutical products, spent carbon, flue gas cleaning residue, sludge from wet scrubbers and ash from incineration of hazardous waste. Such waste causes immediate, short-term public health problems as well as long-term health issues and environmental pollution.
May 5,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: Just 39% of Goa’s industrial hazardous waste is disposed at Taloja, Maharashtra, with no one certain of how the rest of the 12,098 metric tonnes is disposed.
In the absence of an industrial waste treatment, storage and disposal plant in the state, industry claims that the remaining waste is held by the industry in their units.
This is, however, countered by environmentalists who say that undisposed hazardous waste is dumped at night. Environmentalists said that such waste can cause public health problems as well as long-term health effects and environmental pollution.
Villagers have also opposed the proposed treatment, storage and disposal facility at Dharbandora.
Goa generates about 12,098 metric tonnes per annum (MTA) of industrial hazardous waste. Only 39% of this—which is incineratable waste—is transported to Taloja in Maharashtra. No one is sure where the rest of the waste—15% recyclable and about 46% landfillable—is disposed off in the absence of an industrial waste treatment, storage and disposal plant in the state.
“Only the incineratable hazardous industrial waste is transported to Taloja. The rest of the waste is stored by industries within their premises,” says Joseph D’Souza, founder president, Industrial Waste Management Association of Goa.
Not everyone in the field, however, agrees. “Many industries dump the waste as there is no landfill site,” admitted an industry insider.
This is confirmed by police sources who told TOI, “They (industries) dump their waste in the night. Since no one has lodged a complaint yet, we can’t take any action.”
“What is happening in Goa is illegal,” says environmentalist Claude Alvares. A member of the Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous waste, he explains that the apex court in its 2003 ruling ordered that hazardous waste “be disposed off in an engineered landfill site by 2004”.
“But in Goa nothing has changed. The SC order clearly states that if there is no landfill site for industrial hazardous waste then it is the responsibility of the (Goa) state pollution control board to close down such units till the site is ready. Nothing of the sort has happened in Goa,” says Alvares.
Goa State Pollution Control Board officials however, insist, “The industries keep (hazardous waste) covered within their premises. Moreover, Nicomet industries which alone produces about 70% of the total hazardous waste generated in the state, has now constructed its own landfill site which can be used for up to 3 years. By that time the plant at Dharbandora will be ready.”
On April 16, 2008, the state government notified land admeasuring 1,10,390 sq m in survey no 193/3 of Dharbandora, Sanguem taluka for a common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility for industries. However, local opposition (see adjoining story) has left the matter in limbo.
Incidentally, the environmental impact assessment for the proposed Dharbandora site had shown that an estimate of about 248 hazardous waste generating units in Goa are registered under the hazardous waste act and together generate 12,098 MTA of hazardous waste.
Of this, 5,605 MTA is landfillable waste, 4,708 MTA is incineratable waste and about 1,785 MTA is recyclable waste which can be transferred for safe storage and disposal, the report prepared for the Goa Industrial Development Corporation by Ramky Infra Consulting Pvt Ltd, revealed.
In Goa, hazardous waste comprises of used oil, waste oil and residues containing oil, residues from zinc ash and skimming, arsenic-bearing sludge, phosphate sludge, waste and residues in production and use of paints, residue and waste from formulation of pharmaceutical products, spent carbon, flue gas cleaning residue, sludge from wet scrubbers and ash from incineration of hazardous waste. Such waste causes immediate, short-term public health problems as well as long-term health issues and environmental pollution.
May 5,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Chemists fume over GMC drug store tender
Chemists fume over GMC drug store tender
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Changes in the eligibility criteria for running a pharmacy
at the Goa Medical College and Hospital
and Yatri Niwas have come under a
cloud.
Unlike in the past, when the GMC pharmacy operation was open to manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, this time the latter two are deemed not eligible.
The tender has been drafted in such a manner that only a Goa registered drug manufacturer, having its own manufacturing unit and retail outlets, besides manufacturing products for more than five reputed large pharma companies and with over five years manufacturing experience can bid for it. This has not only got chemists in Goa fuming, but has narrowed the eligibility field to just two manufacturers.
A letter from the Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa, to health minister Vishwajit Rane said, “We are pained to note that none of our members are eligible to even quote for the pharmacy as the clause includes only the manufacturing companies.”
“We have requested the health minister to reconsider the eligibility criteria by removing the ‘manufacturing company clause’ and allowing individuals having a pharmacy business to quote,” Ratnadeep Kurtarkar, the association president told TOI.
Rane citing price considerations is unwilling to change the specifications. “We want to encourage the small scale pharma industry that will give us a better price. I am not interested in entertaining traders. We want a corporate company with retail experience, who can maintain a minimum level of drugs, materials and surgical appliances at the pharmacy, so that indenting by the GMC can be done from here if the product is not available in the hospital,” said Rane.
President of Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa, Ratnadeep Kurtarkar, however, does not appear convinced by health minister Vishwajit Rane’s explanation that the move to exclude retailers is aimed at encouraging small scale pharma industry.
He said traders do maintain a minimum inventory of drugs and surgical appliances in the pharmacy.
“If by adhering to the Central government’s policy to give cheaper medicines, the state government is proposing a ‘Janaushadhi’ store at GMC, then a manufacturer would be able to manufacture generic drugs and give it to patients at cheaper rates. But a retailer or any manufacturer selling branded drugs will have to sell them at the MRP,” added Kurtarkar.
The tender’s new criteria allows just two companies to bid for the contract. “Only two companies meet the requirements. One is the Hede Group run Shwarde Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd at Corlim that has a retail shop at Porvorim and Goa Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (GAPL) which has a retail shop at GMC,” sources at Food and Drug Administration told TOI.
Confirming this, Goa pharmaceutical manufacturers association president Dilip Salgaonkar said, “There are three or four pharma companies registered in Goa. To the best of my knowledge only two pharma companies — GAPL and Shwarde — have retail shopping also.”
There is a further catch in the eligibility criteria, which states that the pharma company should be registered as a small scale industry. “GAPL doesn’t have SSI registration. It has medium scale registration with government of India,” Goa State Industries Association executive secretary GP Chimulkar told TOI.
Rane explained saying, “We have shortlisted two companies — Hede group’s pharma company and government run GAPL. We are in the process of verifying if GAPL is registered under the Small Scale Industries (SSI). If so registered, GAPL will get the contract, otherwise it will go to the Hede group.”
2 May 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Changes in the eligibility criteria for running a pharmacy
at the Goa Medical College and Hospital
and Yatri Niwas have come under a
cloud.
Unlike in the past, when the GMC pharmacy operation was open to manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, this time the latter two are deemed not eligible.
The tender has been drafted in such a manner that only a Goa registered drug manufacturer, having its own manufacturing unit and retail outlets, besides manufacturing products for more than five reputed large pharma companies and with over five years manufacturing experience can bid for it. This has not only got chemists in Goa fuming, but has narrowed the eligibility field to just two manufacturers.
A letter from the Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa, to health minister Vishwajit Rane said, “We are pained to note that none of our members are eligible to even quote for the pharmacy as the clause includes only the manufacturing companies.”
“We have requested the health minister to reconsider the eligibility criteria by removing the ‘manufacturing company clause’ and allowing individuals having a pharmacy business to quote,” Ratnadeep Kurtarkar, the association president told TOI.
Rane citing price considerations is unwilling to change the specifications. “We want to encourage the small scale pharma industry that will give us a better price. I am not interested in entertaining traders. We want a corporate company with retail experience, who can maintain a minimum level of drugs, materials and surgical appliances at the pharmacy, so that indenting by the GMC can be done from here if the product is not available in the hospital,” said Rane.
President of Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa, Ratnadeep Kurtarkar, however, does not appear convinced by health minister Vishwajit Rane’s explanation that the move to exclude retailers is aimed at encouraging small scale pharma industry.
He said traders do maintain a minimum inventory of drugs and surgical appliances in the pharmacy.
“If by adhering to the Central government’s policy to give cheaper medicines, the state government is proposing a ‘Janaushadhi’ store at GMC, then a manufacturer would be able to manufacture generic drugs and give it to patients at cheaper rates. But a retailer or any manufacturer selling branded drugs will have to sell them at the MRP,” added Kurtarkar.
The tender’s new criteria allows just two companies to bid for the contract. “Only two companies meet the requirements. One is the Hede Group run Shwarde Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd at Corlim that has a retail shop at Porvorim and Goa Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (GAPL) which has a retail shop at GMC,” sources at Food and Drug Administration told TOI.
Confirming this, Goa pharmaceutical manufacturers association president Dilip Salgaonkar said, “There are three or four pharma companies registered in Goa. To the best of my knowledge only two pharma companies — GAPL and Shwarde — have retail shopping also.”
There is a further catch in the eligibility criteria, which states that the pharma company should be registered as a small scale industry. “GAPL doesn’t have SSI registration. It has medium scale registration with government of India,” Goa State Industries Association executive secretary GP Chimulkar told TOI.
Rane explained saying, “We have shortlisted two companies — Hede group’s pharma company and government run GAPL. We are in the process of verifying if GAPL is registered under the Small Scale Industries (SSI). If so registered, GAPL will get the contract, otherwise it will go to the Hede group.”
2 May 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Churchill's brother quizzed over passport irregularity
Churchill's brother quizzed over passport irregularity
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Seabra Alemao, 57, younger brother of PWD minister Churchill Alemao has been asked to clarify regarding his and his father's name by the passport office at Panaji, as they differ from those given in the birth certificate.
He will also have to pay a fine amounting to Rs 5,000 for suppressing personal particulars. A report regarding the same has been sent to the ministry of external affairs, New Delhi.
A letter dated April 22, 2009 asks Seabra to explain "regarding passport application in 2004 and correct name as per old application." While in his passport application dated December 16, 2008, Seabra has written his name as "Presentacao Seabra Joaquim Alemao", the birth certificate has his name as "Presentacao Seabra Joaquim Cerejeira Sacrafamilia Alemao". Similarly with his father's name, in the passport application Seabra has written it as "Antonio Augusto Braz Clemente Alemao", while the birth certificate states "Antonio Augusto Braz Clemente Fortunato Flosculo Mario Ragario Piedade Alemao".
Passport officer S B Hire refused to comment. However, officials at the passport office said, "On April 15, we got a positive recommendation for Seabra from the police. He is now eligible to get the passport after clarifying his and his father's name and after paying the fine amount."
When contacted, Seabra said, "I have given an affidavit to the passport office in which I have clearly mentioned my full name and my father's full name. They have not sent me a letter asking me to pay any fine."
The disparities came to light when the passport office conducted an inquiry into Seabra's application after receiving a police report on January 16, 2009, that instead of approving or rejecting the passport application stated, "discretion of passport officer".
The report came from the DySP CID/SB, despite the fact that the Colva police inspector's report states that there are no court cases pending against Seabra and he has been acquitted in two cases and he can be issued a passport.
After receiving the police report, passport officials conducted an inquiry into Seabra's application and found that he had first applied for a passport in 2004, in which he had given his and father's name as per the birth certificate. However, his file was closed on December 30, 2004, as he failed to respond to queries raised by the passport office. At that time in the column for passport details, Seabra had said, "not known" and the passport office had sought a clarification regarding this, which Seabra had failed to provide.
Later, on December 16, 2008 Seabra filed a fresh passport application. "He failed to mention that he had applied for and was not issued a passport in 2004. On seeking a clarification, Seabra submitted a notarized affidavit on February 17, 2009 stating that he had previously applied for a passport. Seabra will have to shell out another Rs 1,000 for not informing the passport office that he had previously applied for a passport," officials said.
"In 2004 I had applied for the passport but had lost the form number and the passport office had said they could not trace the form so I made a fresh application in 2008," said Seabra.
On Thursday, Churchill had addressed a press conference at which he had alleged that the passport officer refused to renew his brother Seabra's passport on the grounds that criminal cases were pending against him, in spite of the fact that the sessions court had cleared him of all charges. However, passport officials denied these allegations.
Seabra, however, made the same allegations on Friday and said, "They are denying me the passport, saying there a cases pending against me, though I have submitted court orders acquitting me."
2 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Seabra Alemao, 57, younger brother of PWD minister Churchill Alemao has been asked to clarify regarding his and his father's name by the passport office at Panaji, as they differ from those given in the birth certificate.
He will also have to pay a fine amounting to Rs 5,000 for suppressing personal particulars. A report regarding the same has been sent to the ministry of external affairs, New Delhi.
A letter dated April 22, 2009 asks Seabra to explain "regarding passport application in 2004 and correct name as per old application." While in his passport application dated December 16, 2008, Seabra has written his name as "Presentacao Seabra Joaquim Alemao", the birth certificate has his name as "Presentacao Seabra Joaquim Cerejeira Sacrafamilia Alemao". Similarly with his father's name, in the passport application Seabra has written it as "Antonio Augusto Braz Clemente Alemao", while the birth certificate states "Antonio Augusto Braz Clemente Fortunato Flosculo Mario Ragario Piedade Alemao".
Passport officer S B Hire refused to comment. However, officials at the passport office said, "On April 15, we got a positive recommendation for Seabra from the police. He is now eligible to get the passport after clarifying his and his father's name and after paying the fine amount."
When contacted, Seabra said, "I have given an affidavit to the passport office in which I have clearly mentioned my full name and my father's full name. They have not sent me a letter asking me to pay any fine."
The disparities came to light when the passport office conducted an inquiry into Seabra's application after receiving a police report on January 16, 2009, that instead of approving or rejecting the passport application stated, "discretion of passport officer".
The report came from the DySP CID/SB, despite the fact that the Colva police inspector's report states that there are no court cases pending against Seabra and he has been acquitted in two cases and he can be issued a passport.
After receiving the police report, passport officials conducted an inquiry into Seabra's application and found that he had first applied for a passport in 2004, in which he had given his and father's name as per the birth certificate. However, his file was closed on December 30, 2004, as he failed to respond to queries raised by the passport office. At that time in the column for passport details, Seabra had said, "not known" and the passport office had sought a clarification regarding this, which Seabra had failed to provide.
Later, on December 16, 2008 Seabra filed a fresh passport application. "He failed to mention that he had applied for and was not issued a passport in 2004. On seeking a clarification, Seabra submitted a notarized affidavit on February 17, 2009 stating that he had previously applied for a passport. Seabra will have to shell out another Rs 1,000 for not informing the passport office that he had previously applied for a passport," officials said.
"In 2004 I had applied for the passport but had lost the form number and the passport office had said they could not trace the form so I made a fresh application in 2008," said Seabra.
On Thursday, Churchill had addressed a press conference at which he had alleged that the passport officer refused to renew his brother Seabra's passport on the grounds that criminal cases were pending against him, in spite of the fact that the sessions court had cleared him of all charges. However, passport officials denied these allegations.
Seabra, however, made the same allegations on Friday and said, "They are denying me the passport, saying there a cases pending against me, though I have submitted court orders acquitting me."
2 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
CBI seals residence of insurance company manager
CBI seals residence of insurance company manager
PANAJI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sealed the official residence of Oriental Insurance Company Limited's divisional manager in Goa on Thursday. CBI is investigating into divisional manager Mukesh Gupta's assets and properties as they had information that Gupta was maintaining a standard of living far beyond his known means.
Though there was no official confirmation, sources in the CBI said that they had a warrant to search four placesone in New Delhi and three at Goaall reportedly belonging to Gupta. CBI searched Gupta's house in New Delhi and also searched and sealed his office in Panaji, and his 146-square-metre flat at Adwalparkar Center in Caranzalem, for which he allegedly spent a fortune on the wood work, marble, tiling and lighting.
"We sealed Gupta's official residence at Models Estate, Caranzalem, on Thursday. The search of his residence will be conducted once we trace Gupta, who is out of station'," said CBI officials.
Officials said that Gupta had recently sold a well-furnished flat at Models Millennium, Caranzalem. "He spent about Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakh on the interiors. For more information, we are trying to trace the person to whom Gupta sold the flat. Besides, Gupta has also bought a plot at the Kadamba plateau," said sources.
CBI also sealed five of his bank accounts and one share trading account. Gupta has been working for Oriental Insurance Company Ltd in Goa since 1996. He was posted at Margao where he held office till 2002. At present he is in the Panaji office where he heads the insurance firm's operations in Goa.
2 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sealed the official residence of Oriental Insurance Company Limited's divisional manager in Goa on Thursday. CBI is investigating into divisional manager Mukesh Gupta's assets and properties as they had information that Gupta was maintaining a standard of living far beyond his known means.
Though there was no official confirmation, sources in the CBI said that they had a warrant to search four placesone in New Delhi and three at Goaall reportedly belonging to Gupta. CBI searched Gupta's house in New Delhi and also searched and sealed his office in Panaji, and his 146-square-metre flat at Adwalparkar Center in Caranzalem, for which he allegedly spent a fortune on the wood work, marble, tiling and lighting.
"We sealed Gupta's official residence at Models Estate, Caranzalem, on Thursday. The search of his residence will be conducted once we trace Gupta, who is out of station'," said CBI officials.
Officials said that Gupta had recently sold a well-furnished flat at Models Millennium, Caranzalem. "He spent about Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakh on the interiors. For more information, we are trying to trace the person to whom Gupta sold the flat. Besides, Gupta has also bought a plot at the Kadamba plateau," said sources.
CBI also sealed five of his bank accounts and one share trading account. Gupta has been working for Oriental Insurance Company Ltd in Goa since 1996. He was posted at Margao where he held office till 2002. At present he is in the Panaji office where he heads the insurance firm's operations in Goa.
2 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, May 01, 2009
Dry taps hit kidney patients
Dry taps hit kidney patients
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With taps running dry from Wednesday evening at the new 450-bed block of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, patients, especially those
requiring dialysis, have been put to major hardship.
The block houses the medicine, urology, neurology, paediatrics, dermatology and VD, nephrology and surgical gasteroentology wards and the ICCU, CCU, MICU.
On Thursday, several renal failure patients in need of dialysis were seen waiting for their appointments that never materialised, even as staff at the kidney unit were calling up other patients to cancel afternoon appointments.
Doctors were forced to send back patients with dialysis appointments, directing those with emergency needs to private hospitals. While those who could afford did go to private clinics, those who weren’t able to shell out the Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per session have been returning to the GMC in desperation.
GMC medical superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar admitted the problem existed and said, “While water requirement at GMC has increased, quantity of water supplied has not. Our water requirement is about 1000 cubic mts and we have asked for more water.”
PWD minister Churchill Alemao, however, said the shortage was due to internal distribution. “There is a water shortage in the new GMC ward and I have sent my men to sort out the problem. It is more of an internal problem of GMC administration.”
An official from Frischmann Prabhu (I) Pvt Ltd, project management consultant for the block, though blamed PWD for the problem. He said, “Though the capacity of the tank at GMC is about 1200 cubic mts, only 300 cubic mts water is filled daily. The new ward alone requires 120 to 130 cubic mts water daily.”
GMC staff say that this is not a new problem. “Today is no exception. For the last 15 days there has been no water in the wards in the evening. The toilets stink and from Wednesday evening, it has been really bad. There is no water in the bathroom or even water to drink,” said a housekeeping staff at GMC.
Patients are being forced to purchase packaged water to drink as well as for washing. “We bought 5-6 water bottles in the morning as there is no water to drink or wash,” said a woman whose son is admitted in the medicine ward with diabetes
1 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
.
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With taps running dry from Wednesday evening at the new 450-bed block of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, patients, especially those
requiring dialysis, have been put to major hardship.
The block houses the medicine, urology, neurology, paediatrics, dermatology and VD, nephrology and surgical gasteroentology wards and the ICCU, CCU, MICU.
On Thursday, several renal failure patients in need of dialysis were seen waiting for their appointments that never materialised, even as staff at the kidney unit were calling up other patients to cancel afternoon appointments.
Doctors were forced to send back patients with dialysis appointments, directing those with emergency needs to private hospitals. While those who could afford did go to private clinics, those who weren’t able to shell out the Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per session have been returning to the GMC in desperation.
GMC medical superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar admitted the problem existed and said, “While water requirement at GMC has increased, quantity of water supplied has not. Our water requirement is about 1000 cubic mts and we have asked for more water.”
PWD minister Churchill Alemao, however, said the shortage was due to internal distribution. “There is a water shortage in the new GMC ward and I have sent my men to sort out the problem. It is more of an internal problem of GMC administration.”
An official from Frischmann Prabhu (I) Pvt Ltd, project management consultant for the block, though blamed PWD for the problem. He said, “Though the capacity of the tank at GMC is about 1200 cubic mts, only 300 cubic mts water is filled daily. The new ward alone requires 120 to 130 cubic mts water daily.”
GMC staff say that this is not a new problem. “Today is no exception. For the last 15 days there has been no water in the wards in the evening. The toilets stink and from Wednesday evening, it has been really bad. There is no water in the bathroom or even water to drink,” said a housekeeping staff at GMC.
Patients are being forced to purchase packaged water to drink as well as for washing. “We bought 5-6 water bottles in the morning as there is no water to drink or wash,” said a woman whose son is admitted in the medicine ward with diabetes
1 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
.
Russian couple asks for dead son's remains
Russian couple asks for dead son's remains
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Almost one and half years after a boy went missing in Goa, now his Russian parents are trying to get the skull and other remains of their
22-year-old for burial in their homeland Russia.
Anton Prosnyakov had gone missing in November 2007. His last call to his parents was from Chapora in Goa on November 3, 2007. "With the DNA tests and super imposition tests confirming that the decomposed body of a man found in the bushes at Vagator was of their son, the parents have now asked for the remains of their son for burial," said police sources.
The police added, "We have sent a request for the skull from the forensic laboratory in Punjab where it was sent for superimposition. The rest of his body parts have been disposed off."
Confirming this, advocate of the consul general of the Russian federation in Goa, Vikram Varma said, "This is a case of homicide. Even as police investigation continues, the remains of the boy would need to be repatriated for burial according to the wishes of the family."
Anton had arrived in New Delhi from Russia on August 25, 2007, on a tourist visa along with his girlfriend Marina Pulina, 22. They travelled to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai and ultimately arrived in Goa in October. They initially stayed at Vagator and then moved to Chapora. With no news from their son for a long time, Anton's parents complained to the foreign affairs ministry of the Russian federation that their son had been missing since November 2007.
Sources said that on receiving a letter from the Russian consul, the Goa police asked for the boy's photograph showing his frontal face profile as police suspected that the two unknown bodies found in the bushes at White rock shack, Vagator, could be of Anton and his girlfriend. This doubt was confirmed when a witness, Misrilal, on seeing Anton's photo, told the cops that he had seen the couple living in a tent at White rock. Moreover, the yellowish red beaded plastic necklace which was found with the skeletal remains in the autopsy and is preserved by the police, was found to be similar to the necklace seen in the photograph of the couple.
Later, the DNA tests of the decomposed body and the parents also confirmed that it is the body of their missing son. The identification using the superimposition technique also confirmed that it was the Russian couple.
30 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Almost one and half years after a boy went missing in Goa, now his Russian parents are trying to get the skull and other remains of their
22-year-old for burial in their homeland Russia.
Anton Prosnyakov had gone missing in November 2007. His last call to his parents was from Chapora in Goa on November 3, 2007. "With the DNA tests and super imposition tests confirming that the decomposed body of a man found in the bushes at Vagator was of their son, the parents have now asked for the remains of their son for burial," said police sources.
The police added, "We have sent a request for the skull from the forensic laboratory in Punjab where it was sent for superimposition. The rest of his body parts have been disposed off."
Confirming this, advocate of the consul general of the Russian federation in Goa, Vikram Varma said, "This is a case of homicide. Even as police investigation continues, the remains of the boy would need to be repatriated for burial according to the wishes of the family."
Anton had arrived in New Delhi from Russia on August 25, 2007, on a tourist visa along with his girlfriend Marina Pulina, 22. They travelled to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai and ultimately arrived in Goa in October. They initially stayed at Vagator and then moved to Chapora. With no news from their son for a long time, Anton's parents complained to the foreign affairs ministry of the Russian federation that their son had been missing since November 2007.
Sources said that on receiving a letter from the Russian consul, the Goa police asked for the boy's photograph showing his frontal face profile as police suspected that the two unknown bodies found in the bushes at White rock shack, Vagator, could be of Anton and his girlfriend. This doubt was confirmed when a witness, Misrilal, on seeing Anton's photo, told the cops that he had seen the couple living in a tent at White rock. Moreover, the yellowish red beaded plastic necklace which was found with the skeletal remains in the autopsy and is preserved by the police, was found to be similar to the necklace seen in the photograph of the couple.
Later, the DNA tests of the decomposed body and the parents also confirmed that it is the body of their missing son. The identification using the superimposition technique also confirmed that it was the Russian couple.
30 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Deported in '08, back in '09
Deported in '08, back in '09
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In what can be termed as a major security lapse, Charles Wuzor, a Nigerian convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Act and deported in 2008, was back in the country and attended a court hearing last Saturday.
This, despite the state government having written to the Union home and external affairs ministries to blacklist Wuzor, deny him visa
and ban his entry into the country.
The court roznama confirms Wuzor’s presence in the court of the judicial magistrate first class ‘D’ at Mapusa on April 18, 2009.
Sources in the government say this could probably be the first time a foreigner convicted in a narcotics case, deported and blacklisted by the state government, had returned within so short a period.
Alarmed by Wuzor’s return, the Goa police’s foreigner’s registration office is conducting an inquiry to verify his port of entry into India for further action.
“We have written to various police station in-charges to obtain information regarding his port of entry into India and his presence in Goa. Once this is done, we will inform the home department to take up the matter with the MEA and MHA,” sources in the FRO said.
Information available with the FRO states that Wuzor was served a deportation order on September 19, 2008 and he left the country the following day. “His passport expired in 2002, but he stayed on as there was a case pending against him. Once convicted on August 21, 2008, the Nigerian high commission in New Delhi issued temporary travel documents to ensure his exit from India,” said FRO sources.
“Wuzor left the country on September 20, 2008. Confirmation of his departure was obtained from CSI airport, Mumbai,” said sources.
Immediately thereafter, on September 23, the state under secretary (home) wrote to the MEA and MHA requesting them “to deny further entry/blacklist/ban entry into India and request the high commission of India at Lagos not to issue a visa to the Nigerian National.”
Wuzor was caught in possession of 169.6 gm of charas with a street value of Rs 16,900 in 2001 by personnel of the anti-narcotics cell at Arpora. Police had alleged that when they surrounded the car Wuzor was travelling in, he swallowed some drugs which were on the front passenger seat and he had to be taken to Goa Medical College and Hospital as he complained of giddiness.
However, the high court of Bombay at Goa observed, “As far as the swallowing of a substance is concerned, it may be stated at this very stage that the prosecution was unable to state as to what that substance was in spite of the accused having been sent to the GMC for examination.”
25 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In what can be termed as a major security lapse, Charles Wuzor, a Nigerian convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Act and deported in 2008, was back in the country and attended a court hearing last Saturday.
This, despite the state government having written to the Union home and external affairs ministries to blacklist Wuzor, deny him visa
and ban his entry into the country.
The court roznama confirms Wuzor’s presence in the court of the judicial magistrate first class ‘D’ at Mapusa on April 18, 2009.
Sources in the government say this could probably be the first time a foreigner convicted in a narcotics case, deported and blacklisted by the state government, had returned within so short a period.
Alarmed by Wuzor’s return, the Goa police’s foreigner’s registration office is conducting an inquiry to verify his port of entry into India for further action.
“We have written to various police station in-charges to obtain information regarding his port of entry into India and his presence in Goa. Once this is done, we will inform the home department to take up the matter with the MEA and MHA,” sources in the FRO said.
Information available with the FRO states that Wuzor was served a deportation order on September 19, 2008 and he left the country the following day. “His passport expired in 2002, but he stayed on as there was a case pending against him. Once convicted on August 21, 2008, the Nigerian high commission in New Delhi issued temporary travel documents to ensure his exit from India,” said FRO sources.
“Wuzor left the country on September 20, 2008. Confirmation of his departure was obtained from CSI airport, Mumbai,” said sources.
Immediately thereafter, on September 23, the state under secretary (home) wrote to the MEA and MHA requesting them “to deny further entry/blacklist/ban entry into India and request the high commission of India at Lagos not to issue a visa to the Nigerian National.”
Wuzor was caught in possession of 169.6 gm of charas with a street value of Rs 16,900 in 2001 by personnel of the anti-narcotics cell at Arpora. Police had alleged that when they surrounded the car Wuzor was travelling in, he swallowed some drugs which were on the front passenger seat and he had to be taken to Goa Medical College and Hospital as he complained of giddiness.
However, the high court of Bombay at Goa observed, “As far as the swallowing of a substance is concerned, it may be stated at this very stage that the prosecution was unable to state as to what that substance was in spite of the accused having been sent to the GMC for examination.”
25 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Police personnel stretched thin
Police personnel stretched thin
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police stations all over the state wore a deserted look on Wednesday afternoon as almost 90-95% of the staff are on duty for Thursday’s
Lok Sabha election. With the Centre turning down Goa’s request for paramilitary forces, the police have also had to withdraw about 80 officials providing security to “protected persons of Goa”.
“This has left police stations with a skeletal staff of hardly five to seven policemen each,” sources said.
Sources said a PSI and some constables would be on duty, handling the affairs and attending to visitors at police stations. “The staff posted at the police station will remain on duty for more than 48 hours from 12pm on Wednesday as there is no back-up staff,” said police sources.
Goa had sought 12 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre for both districts, of which the Centre was ready to give four. “Planning for the elections was done keeping in mind that we would get paramilitary forces. Since no paramilitary force was deployed, we had to replan and mobilize the entire force,” said police officials. Of the 280 policemen attached to the security unit who guard “protected persons of Goa” (a category of VIPs), about 80 have been withdrawn and mobilized for poll duty.
Police sources said that a few of “the protected persons of Goa”, including some ministers, have been without bodyguards for two days.
Goa Police has a total manpower of 4,365, apart from the IRB whose strength is around 900 odd.
23 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police stations all over the state wore a deserted look on Wednesday afternoon as almost 90-95% of the staff are on duty for Thursday’s
Lok Sabha election. With the Centre turning down Goa’s request for paramilitary forces, the police have also had to withdraw about 80 officials providing security to “protected persons of Goa”.
“This has left police stations with a skeletal staff of hardly five to seven policemen each,” sources said.
Sources said a PSI and some constables would be on duty, handling the affairs and attending to visitors at police stations. “The staff posted at the police station will remain on duty for more than 48 hours from 12pm on Wednesday as there is no back-up staff,” said police sources.
Goa had sought 12 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre for both districts, of which the Centre was ready to give four. “Planning for the elections was done keeping in mind that we would get paramilitary forces. Since no paramilitary force was deployed, we had to replan and mobilize the entire force,” said police officials. Of the 280 policemen attached to the security unit who guard “protected persons of Goa” (a category of VIPs), about 80 have been withdrawn and mobilized for poll duty.
Police sources said that a few of “the protected persons of Goa”, including some ministers, have been without bodyguards for two days.
Goa Police has a total manpower of 4,365, apart from the IRB whose strength is around 900 odd.
23 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
BJP cells helping people choose a leader
BJP cells helping people choose a leader
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: On February 22, addressing a booth karyakarta sammelan, BJP's poster boy Narendra Modi, who is in-charge of Goa for the Lok Sabha
elections, said, "We are not here to win the Lok Sabha. We have to win the polling booth by winning the hearts of the families and reaching out to them. Once you win the polling booth, you will win Lok Sabha elections."
What Modi preached, the BJP in Goa has been working on for almost a year. They have set up 14 state cells to reach out to people from all strata of society such as farmers, students, chartered accountants, doctors, advocates, panchayat members etc. Besides, endorsing the BJP's mantra of reaching out to each home by providing their service, these cells are perfect examples of good political management.
"We have created 14 cells in the last few months. The aim of each cell is to connect with people of their profession and society at large. They not only serve the people but also help people choose a good leader, who can deliver," said BJP's North Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
The cells were established six months to one-and-half-year ago. Besides reaching out to the professionals to help BJP serve people at large to meet its social cause, these cells are becoming important agents to help sway the professional's sentiment in BJP's favour. "They have not just to co-ordinate amongst the group members but also garner public support in favour of BJP," said BJP MLA Laxmikant Parsekar.
In other words, each cell member who had so far worked towards helping people in need, in the last three months has been organizing meetings of the BJP's local leaders with people from their fraternity to help BJP woo the electorate. Though no one wants to comment on whether this would translate into votes, BJP sources reveal that this is the utimate goal.
So the doctor's cell organizes a meeting of doctors with a BJP leader wherein they not just talk about medical issues but also about what is happening in the country, how it can change and why they should support the BJP. On the other hand, a CA's meeting doesn't only talk about taxation issues but also gets to clear their perception about BJP as a party.
"It is a win-win situation for both groups. BJP gets its input about economy and governance from the CAs and the CAs in turn get across their difficulties and problems to the government through the cell. Also BJP gains in terms of votes and support, as CAs have the power to influence not only their clients but also other professionals by putting in a good word for BJP", said Santosh Kenkre, the state convenor for BJP's chartered accountant cell.
To clear doubts in the minds of CAs about BJP, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar had a one-and-half-hour interactive session with more than 100 CAs on Saturday. "We not only earn goodwill from the CAs for the BJP, which in turn ensures good governance in the state", added Kenkre. There are 300-odd CAs in the state.
"Professionals like doctors have a large following and they command respect in society. They don't just treat a patient, but also in the process become a part of the family. We can't be apolitical. If a patient asks whom they should vote for, we explain why they should vote for the BJP," added Dr Shekhar Salkar, the state convenor for BJP's doctors cell.
20 Apr 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: On February 22, addressing a booth karyakarta sammelan, BJP's poster boy Narendra Modi, who is in-charge of Goa for the Lok Sabha
elections, said, "We are not here to win the Lok Sabha. We have to win the polling booth by winning the hearts of the families and reaching out to them. Once you win the polling booth, you will win Lok Sabha elections."
What Modi preached, the BJP in Goa has been working on for almost a year. They have set up 14 state cells to reach out to people from all strata of society such as farmers, students, chartered accountants, doctors, advocates, panchayat members etc. Besides, endorsing the BJP's mantra of reaching out to each home by providing their service, these cells are perfect examples of good political management.
"We have created 14 cells in the last few months. The aim of each cell is to connect with people of their profession and society at large. They not only serve the people but also help people choose a good leader, who can deliver," said BJP's North Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
The cells were established six months to one-and-half-year ago. Besides reaching out to the professionals to help BJP serve people at large to meet its social cause, these cells are becoming important agents to help sway the professional's sentiment in BJP's favour. "They have not just to co-ordinate amongst the group members but also garner public support in favour of BJP," said BJP MLA Laxmikant Parsekar.
In other words, each cell member who had so far worked towards helping people in need, in the last three months has been organizing meetings of the BJP's local leaders with people from their fraternity to help BJP woo the electorate. Though no one wants to comment on whether this would translate into votes, BJP sources reveal that this is the utimate goal.
So the doctor's cell organizes a meeting of doctors with a BJP leader wherein they not just talk about medical issues but also about what is happening in the country, how it can change and why they should support the BJP. On the other hand, a CA's meeting doesn't only talk about taxation issues but also gets to clear their perception about BJP as a party.
"It is a win-win situation for both groups. BJP gets its input about economy and governance from the CAs and the CAs in turn get across their difficulties and problems to the government through the cell. Also BJP gains in terms of votes and support, as CAs have the power to influence not only their clients but also other professionals by putting in a good word for BJP", said Santosh Kenkre, the state convenor for BJP's chartered accountant cell.
To clear doubts in the minds of CAs about BJP, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar had a one-and-half-hour interactive session with more than 100 CAs on Saturday. "We not only earn goodwill from the CAs for the BJP, which in turn ensures good governance in the state", added Kenkre. There are 300-odd CAs in the state.
"Professionals like doctors have a large following and they command respect in society. They don't just treat a patient, but also in the process become a part of the family. We can't be apolitical. If a patient asks whom they should vote for, we explain why they should vote for the BJP," added Dr Shekhar Salkar, the state convenor for BJP's doctors cell.
20 Apr 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Rare operation saves woman's life
Rare operation saves woman's life
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Lying in the ICU of the Campal clinic, Jamila Bi, 62, is a relieved woman. Doctors on April 15 successfully removed a giant sized "hydatid cyst" with thousands of worm eggs from her right lung.
A startling size and rare condition in India, previously unrecorded in medical corridors, doctors revealed that the Ponda-based Jamila, a housewife, might have been living in this condition since her childhood. She was promptly and efficiently diagnosed and referred to the hospital by the TB and Chest government hospital in a critical condition.
"I had frequent cough. But I never took it seriously as it was treated with medicines. In the last two or three years, the problem increased and at times I would cough continuously for nearly 15 to 20 minutes. But then felt better after taking medicines. But since last few months, the cough was unbearable. That's when I was referred by a local physician to TB and chest hospital," recalls Jamila.
"It was a 15 cm diameter giant hydatid cyst within the right lung. Termed the multilocular hydatid, it is formed by worms called echinococcus multiloculare. In India, this problem is rare", said cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Dr Irineu A Pereira, who operated on Jamila.
While unilocular (single cyst cavity) due to echinococcus granulosus worms are relatively common in India, multilocular hydatid due to echinococcus multiloculare worms is uncommon, said doctors. "Multilocular hydatid in the lung and of this size is rare. There is only 5 to 15 % incidence world wide", said Goa Medical College and hospital's pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto, to whom the cyst has been sent for hysto-pathology tests.
Even the WHO manual on echinococcosis in humans and animals states that echinococcus multilocularis has an extensive geographic range in the northern hemisphere, including endemic regions in central Europe, most of northern and central Eurasia and parts of North America. In Eurasia, parts of Turkey, Iran and possibly northern India (report of one human case), the manual reports. "It is dangerous because they typically remain asymptomatic until the cysts cause a mass effect on an organ, which can occur 5-20 years after the initial infestation in the lung, mostly in childhood", said Dr Pereira.
Jamila underwent a three-hour-long surgery, in which her lung was cut open and the cyst removed. "The cyst contained thousands of worms and toxic fluids and had to be extracted without rupturing them, as leak or rupture had huge risk of massive allergic reactions leading to death," explained Dr Pereira.
Doctors said that echinococcus multilocularis worms follow a cyclical route. It is found in sheep and canines. The infection is passed to humans by either eating the infected animal or by drinking water contaminated with the excreta of the infected animal. Though the eggs multiply in the human body, it doesn't grow to become a worm within the human body, added doctors.
19 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Lying in the ICU of the Campal clinic, Jamila Bi, 62, is a relieved woman. Doctors on April 15 successfully removed a giant sized "hydatid cyst" with thousands of worm eggs from her right lung.
A startling size and rare condition in India, previously unrecorded in medical corridors, doctors revealed that the Ponda-based Jamila, a housewife, might have been living in this condition since her childhood. She was promptly and efficiently diagnosed and referred to the hospital by the TB and Chest government hospital in a critical condition.
"I had frequent cough. But I never took it seriously as it was treated with medicines. In the last two or three years, the problem increased and at times I would cough continuously for nearly 15 to 20 minutes. But then felt better after taking medicines. But since last few months, the cough was unbearable. That's when I was referred by a local physician to TB and chest hospital," recalls Jamila.
"It was a 15 cm diameter giant hydatid cyst within the right lung. Termed the multilocular hydatid, it is formed by worms called echinococcus multiloculare. In India, this problem is rare", said cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Dr Irineu A Pereira, who operated on Jamila.
While unilocular (single cyst cavity) due to echinococcus granulosus worms are relatively common in India, multilocular hydatid due to echinococcus multiloculare worms is uncommon, said doctors. "Multilocular hydatid in the lung and of this size is rare. There is only 5 to 15 % incidence world wide", said Goa Medical College and hospital's pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto, to whom the cyst has been sent for hysto-pathology tests.
Even the WHO manual on echinococcosis in humans and animals states that echinococcus multilocularis has an extensive geographic range in the northern hemisphere, including endemic regions in central Europe, most of northern and central Eurasia and parts of North America. In Eurasia, parts of Turkey, Iran and possibly northern India (report of one human case), the manual reports. "It is dangerous because they typically remain asymptomatic until the cysts cause a mass effect on an organ, which can occur 5-20 years after the initial infestation in the lung, mostly in childhood", said Dr Pereira.
Jamila underwent a three-hour-long surgery, in which her lung was cut open and the cyst removed. "The cyst contained thousands of worms and toxic fluids and had to be extracted without rupturing them, as leak or rupture had huge risk of massive allergic reactions leading to death," explained Dr Pereira.
Doctors said that echinococcus multilocularis worms follow a cyclical route. It is found in sheep and canines. The infection is passed to humans by either eating the infected animal or by drinking water contaminated with the excreta of the infected animal. Though the eggs multiply in the human body, it doesn't grow to become a worm within the human body, added doctors.
19 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, April 17, 2009
Most young Goa Medical College docs are stressed
Most young Goa Medical College docs are stressed
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Young doctors at the Goa Medical College are highly stressed. According to a study, more than 80% doctors in the age group of 23 to 30
suffer from high levels of stress and tension. To help these doctors cope better, GMC has started stress management workshops and will be introducing counseling sessions for them.
The present study was undertaken with the intention of examining the causes and level of stress among doctors. A group of 100 junior and senior residents and consultants working at GMC served as sample for the study conducted by head of pathology department Dr Wiseman Pinto and intern Dr Amar Jain for the Medical Education Cell of GMC. The age of the doctors studied ranged from 23 to 50 years.
"Consultants reported more satisfaction with work and less stress. On the other hand, resident doctors who are just starting their career complained that they are stressed out. About 75.7% said that they were under stress everyday," said Dr Pinto. The study revealed that about 54% had medium stress levels while around 33% complained that they suffered from high levels of stress.
The major cause of stress among doctors are long duty hours, dealing with death, suffering and pain on a daily basis, frequent night duties and calls and overburdened with work. While about 90% said that the major causes for stress were long duty hours (36 hours), no post duty offs, overburdened with work, lack of sleep due to frequent night duties or calls, irritable behaviour of patients or relatives and study tensions, few others said that dealing with high risk patients, lazy junior staff, harassment from seniors, partiality and departmental politics stresses them out. Some also said that they had exam and operation theater tensions.
"Stress levels among young doctors have definitely increased. Though the number of patients have increased over the years, the number of doctors in GMC have remained steady", said Dr. Pinto. On an average, a resident has to handle 50 to 70 patients at GMC in a day, especially in busy departments like surgery, medicine, neurosurgery, ICU, casualty, orthopedics, anesthesia, gynecology and trauma.
While the number of patients has increased over the years, the number of posts have not increased. In 2008, there were 4 lakh OPDs, 52,111 admissions, 16,061 surgeries and 5,665 births in GMC. On the other hand, the number of vacant positions for junior residents are 2, for senior residents 28 and consultants 27.
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Young doctors at the Goa Medical College are highly stressed. According to a study, more than 80% doctors in the age group of 23 to 30
suffer from high levels of stress and tension. To help these doctors cope better, GMC has started stress management workshops and will be introducing counseling sessions for them.
The present study was undertaken with the intention of examining the causes and level of stress among doctors. A group of 100 junior and senior residents and consultants working at GMC served as sample for the study conducted by head of pathology department Dr Wiseman Pinto and intern Dr Amar Jain for the Medical Education Cell of GMC. The age of the doctors studied ranged from 23 to 50 years.
"Consultants reported more satisfaction with work and less stress. On the other hand, resident doctors who are just starting their career complained that they are stressed out. About 75.7% said that they were under stress everyday," said Dr Pinto. The study revealed that about 54% had medium stress levels while around 33% complained that they suffered from high levels of stress.
The major cause of stress among doctors are long duty hours, dealing with death, suffering and pain on a daily basis, frequent night duties and calls and overburdened with work. While about 90% said that the major causes for stress were long duty hours (36 hours), no post duty offs, overburdened with work, lack of sleep due to frequent night duties or calls, irritable behaviour of patients or relatives and study tensions, few others said that dealing with high risk patients, lazy junior staff, harassment from seniors, partiality and departmental politics stresses them out. Some also said that they had exam and operation theater tensions.
"Stress levels among young doctors have definitely increased. Though the number of patients have increased over the years, the number of doctors in GMC have remained steady", said Dr. Pinto. On an average, a resident has to handle 50 to 70 patients at GMC in a day, especially in busy departments like surgery, medicine, neurosurgery, ICU, casualty, orthopedics, anesthesia, gynecology and trauma.
While the number of patients has increased over the years, the number of posts have not increased. In 2008, there were 4 lakh OPDs, 52,111 admissions, 16,061 surgeries and 5,665 births in GMC. On the other hand, the number of vacant positions for junior residents are 2, for senior residents 28 and consultants 27.
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
BJP winning Catholic hearts
BJP winning Catholic hearts
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving away from its hardline Hindutva image and trying to woo the Christians. And what's more, the BJP workers claim that this election they have been able to penetrate into Catholic hearts, which have so far been considered staunch Congress supporters.
"I am witnessing a big change this year. Unlike in the past when Christians in North Goa used to avoid the BJP candidates, this time they are actually inviting us to address meetings in the village," said BJP's north Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
Naik is also working hard to reach out to the Christian population. Sources said that Naik generally starts his day's campaigning in a village after offering prayers. In the past, majority of village meetings and house to house visits started with paying obeisance in a temple. But this time, in several villages, the day started after praying at a church.
"I have started my day's campaigning after praying to God in a church or chapel in more than 10 to 12 places this time. The number is higher than last year. But it was not a deliberate attempt to woo the Christian hearts. It happened because the Christian population eagerly welcomed us," he said.
Of the 678 booths in north Goa, Naik has visited over 600 booths. He has also finished his one round of campaigning in almost each and every village panchayat, except in four or five.
BJP workers reveal that even the hardcore Congress areas are slowly warming up to the idea of a BJP leader and they are inviting BJP leaders to address people. Take the case of Girkarwado in Arambol, which has more than 90% Catholic population. Despite winning the assembly elections twice from Mandrem constituency, BJP's Laxmikant Parsekar has never been able to penetrate into the village vote-bank. But this time its a different scenario.
"I have never got votes from Girkarwado. But this time, the Catholics organized a public meeting and invited us to address a crowd of more than 400," said Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar. This, Parsekar believes, is a sign of the changing image of BJP in the Christian minds.
"The image that the BJP is a Hindutva party is changing. People have realized that BJP maybe a Hindu party, but we are definitely not against Catholics. People from the minority community are coming out in large numbers for the village meetings organized by us and extending their support to bhau (Naik)," said Parsekar.
Fr Francisco Caldeira, director, Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media said, "Catholics are open to BJP. Even in the past, they had come to power with the help of Catholic votes."
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving away from its hardline Hindutva image and trying to woo the Christians. And what's more, the BJP workers claim that this election they have been able to penetrate into Catholic hearts, which have so far been considered staunch Congress supporters.
"I am witnessing a big change this year. Unlike in the past when Christians in North Goa used to avoid the BJP candidates, this time they are actually inviting us to address meetings in the village," said BJP's north Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
Naik is also working hard to reach out to the Christian population. Sources said that Naik generally starts his day's campaigning in a village after offering prayers. In the past, majority of village meetings and house to house visits started with paying obeisance in a temple. But this time, in several villages, the day started after praying at a church.
"I have started my day's campaigning after praying to God in a church or chapel in more than 10 to 12 places this time. The number is higher than last year. But it was not a deliberate attempt to woo the Christian hearts. It happened because the Christian population eagerly welcomed us," he said.
Of the 678 booths in north Goa, Naik has visited over 600 booths. He has also finished his one round of campaigning in almost each and every village panchayat, except in four or five.
BJP workers reveal that even the hardcore Congress areas are slowly warming up to the idea of a BJP leader and they are inviting BJP leaders to address people. Take the case of Girkarwado in Arambol, which has more than 90% Catholic population. Despite winning the assembly elections twice from Mandrem constituency, BJP's Laxmikant Parsekar has never been able to penetrate into the village vote-bank. But this time its a different scenario.
"I have never got votes from Girkarwado. But this time, the Catholics organized a public meeting and invited us to address a crowd of more than 400," said Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar. This, Parsekar believes, is a sign of the changing image of BJP in the Christian minds.
"The image that the BJP is a Hindutva party is changing. People have realized that BJP maybe a Hindu party, but we are definitely not against Catholics. People from the minority community are coming out in large numbers for the village meetings organized by us and extending their support to bhau (Naik)," said Parsekar.
Fr Francisco Caldeira, director, Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media said, "Catholics are open to BJP. Even in the past, they had come to power with the help of Catholic votes."
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Other extreme: An LS aspirant who owns nothing, almost
Other extreme: An LS aspirant who owns nothing, almost
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Amidst the crorepatis contesting the Lok Sabha polls is a slum dweller who has neither savings nor movable assets. In fact, Martha D’Souza, an independent in fray for the North Goa seat is so poor that her contact point is a coin box pay phone outside her only immovable asset—an old, two-storied home in the middle of the Indiranagar slums in Chimbel, about 3 km from Panaji.
But poverty has turned into a poll USP for the 55-year-old widow of a police constable.
“I am poor and therefore I understand the pains and needs of the poor. I don’t have a manifesto that woos people before the elections. My aim is to work towards the upliftment of the poor. That’s my election manifesto,” says Martha. Her only source of income, according to her affidavit before the Election Commission, is a monthly pension of Rs 2,000.
Well aware that her competitors are not as poorly placed, the SSC educated Martha, who unsuccessfully contested two Assembly elections from Santa Cruz constituency in the past, says “money doesn’t matter”.
“What have the lahkpati and crorepati politicians done for the poor? Absolutely nothing. I have won the hearts of the poor here and they have contributed Rs 20,000 for my campaign. I will use the money to display banners and announce my candidature on a mobile loudspeaker,” says the candidate whose symbol is a coconut.
Quizzed about why she’s in the race, she shoots back, “If you want change you need to come out and contest the elections. Even if you don’t have money or muscle power, you need to contest to bring a change in the existing system. If you have the will to change today for a better tomorrow, then God will show you the way.”
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Amidst the crorepatis contesting the Lok Sabha polls is a slum dweller who has neither savings nor movable assets. In fact, Martha D’Souza, an independent in fray for the North Goa seat is so poor that her contact point is a coin box pay phone outside her only immovable asset—an old, two-storied home in the middle of the Indiranagar slums in Chimbel, about 3 km from Panaji.
But poverty has turned into a poll USP for the 55-year-old widow of a police constable.
“I am poor and therefore I understand the pains and needs of the poor. I don’t have a manifesto that woos people before the elections. My aim is to work towards the upliftment of the poor. That’s my election manifesto,” says Martha. Her only source of income, according to her affidavit before the Election Commission, is a monthly pension of Rs 2,000.
Well aware that her competitors are not as poorly placed, the SSC educated Martha, who unsuccessfully contested two Assembly elections from Santa Cruz constituency in the past, says “money doesn’t matter”.
“What have the lahkpati and crorepati politicians done for the poor? Absolutely nothing. I have won the hearts of the poor here and they have contributed Rs 20,000 for my campaign. I will use the money to display banners and announce my candidature on a mobile loudspeaker,” says the candidate whose symbol is a coconut.
Quizzed about why she’s in the race, she shoots back, “If you want change you need to come out and contest the elections. Even if you don’t have money or muscle power, you need to contest to bring a change in the existing system. If you have the will to change today for a better tomorrow, then God will show you the way.”
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Coastal police in Goa yet to get high-speed patrol boats
Coastal police in Goa yet to get high-speed patrol boats
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The coastal police will have to wait till after the Parliamentary polls to put to use the sophisticated skills they recently learnt.
Trained to operate high-speed, bullet-proof boats fitted with machine guns, the 65 policemen attached to three coastal stations will have to instead be content with patrolling the state’s 105-km coastline on four old, worn out boats.
This is because the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has an order to prepare 116 GRP patrol boats for the western state coastal police, is yet to supply the state government with the high-speed patrol vehicles.
After the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, with a view to improve coastal patrolling, the central home ministry decided to allocate high-speed boats to states on the west coast. Goa, accordingly, is due to receive four five-tonne ‘Invaders’ and four 12-tonne ‘Hell Raisers’, all highly sophisticated machines, capable of withstanding terrorist strikes.
“We are yet to get the high-speed boats from GSL. But we have been told that we will be immediately allotted one five-tonne speedboat as soon as a formal order is issued by the central ministry,” said a senior police official.
Officials at GSL, wishing anonymity on account of the election code of conduct, told TOI, “The boats are being built at GSL unit II in Goa. About 30-odd boats are ready and will be handed over to the government of India and the respective coastal police including Goa soon.”
While the five-tonne petrol vessels can hold 16 persons each, the 12-tonne diesel boats can accommodate 20 each.
Moreover, the former vessels feature two outboard motors, wireless systems and bullet-proof cabins that can withstand an AK47 charge from 10 m.
The latter boats, on the other hand, have jet propulsion engines, can travel up to 40 nautical miles and can be used for deep sea patrolling. These 12-tonne vessels are called the mothership and can’t be detected on radar.
“The boats are unsinkable, designed for the patrol party’s safety. Not only can they be used for patrolling, they can also be used for rescue operations and are very popular with the European coastal police,” said sources.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The coastal police will have to wait till after the Parliamentary polls to put to use the sophisticated skills they recently learnt.
Trained to operate high-speed, bullet-proof boats fitted with machine guns, the 65 policemen attached to three coastal stations will have to instead be content with patrolling the state’s 105-km coastline on four old, worn out boats.
This is because the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has an order to prepare 116 GRP patrol boats for the western state coastal police, is yet to supply the state government with the high-speed patrol vehicles.
After the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, with a view to improve coastal patrolling, the central home ministry decided to allocate high-speed boats to states on the west coast. Goa, accordingly, is due to receive four five-tonne ‘Invaders’ and four 12-tonne ‘Hell Raisers’, all highly sophisticated machines, capable of withstanding terrorist strikes.
“We are yet to get the high-speed boats from GSL. But we have been told that we will be immediately allotted one five-tonne speedboat as soon as a formal order is issued by the central ministry,” said a senior police official.
Officials at GSL, wishing anonymity on account of the election code of conduct, told TOI, “The boats are being built at GSL unit II in Goa. About 30-odd boats are ready and will be handed over to the government of India and the respective coastal police including Goa soon.”
While the five-tonne petrol vessels can hold 16 persons each, the 12-tonne diesel boats can accommodate 20 each.
Moreover, the former vessels feature two outboard motors, wireless systems and bullet-proof cabins that can withstand an AK47 charge from 10 m.
The latter boats, on the other hand, have jet propulsion engines, can travel up to 40 nautical miles and can be used for deep sea patrolling. These 12-tonne vessels are called the mothership and can’t be detected on radar.
“The boats are unsinkable, designed for the patrol party’s safety. Not only can they be used for patrolling, they can also be used for rescue operations and are very popular with the European coastal police,” said sources.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
New witness in Scarlett case: Fiona
New witness in Scarlett case: Fiona
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a major development, Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she has a new witness who claims he saw Scarlett on the night she died.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona refused to give details of the new witness "for I fear for his life", but said, "He is a local and told me that Scarlett was crying on the night she was murdered (on February 18, 2008 at Anjuna beach) and had asked him to take her home. He agreed but was stopped by a group of men he was afraid of."
Fiona further said that the witness contacted her and told her that he "has not been able to forgive himself since Scarlett was found dead, but is very afraid of a group of men".
Claiming to have the witness' name, address and photograph, she however, wants to know from the CBI "whether they can still proceed with the case without my statement". It may be recalled, that the Goa children's court refused the CBI request to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR), letter of request, to record Fiona's statement in the UK. Fiona has said repeatedly that she is scared to come to India to meet the CBI to give her statement, because she would be arrested following a case of negligent parenting being issued against her.
"I want the investigations in India to be over fast or the UK coroner will not release my daughter's body for burial. I desperately want to bury my daughter so we can move forward with our lives," said Fiona.
Meanwhile, even as she has written to the police to assure her that she will not be arrested or detained in India and would be allowed to meet the CBI in Mumbai, Fiona has also replied to the questionnaire sent by the Goa police.
The Goa police had raised questions about Fiona's children, her source of income, purpose of visit to India along with her children.
Her replies have been very brief. To a question on whether Scarlett was consuming drugs or liquor, Fiona has replied: Drugs, no. Drink, she was permitted to have a small drink on special occasions with a meal. She has further stated that she was not aware if Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs, nor did she visit nightclubs with her children. As for whether Julio or Scarlett were in love with each other, Fiona's answer has been in the negative.
She has also termed the relationship
between Julio and Scarlett, "platonic, working and friends". She insists she did not leave Scarlett alone with Julio in Goa. "She was not alone. She was in the care of Julio Lobo, an adult man, who was in the care of his aunts. She wanted the experience of working in Goa," Fiona has said in her reply. She has further said that Scarlett stayed in Goa "on her own wish".
To a question on whether she was aware that Julio was looking after Scarlett's day-to-day expenditure, she said, "No. I used to give her money when she visited us and I understand he was paying her for working."
11 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a major development, Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she has a new witness who claims he saw Scarlett on the night she died.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona refused to give details of the new witness "for I fear for his life", but said, "He is a local and told me that Scarlett was crying on the night she was murdered (on February 18, 2008 at Anjuna beach) and had asked him to take her home. He agreed but was stopped by a group of men he was afraid of."
Fiona further said that the witness contacted her and told her that he "has not been able to forgive himself since Scarlett was found dead, but is very afraid of a group of men".
Claiming to have the witness' name, address and photograph, she however, wants to know from the CBI "whether they can still proceed with the case without my statement". It may be recalled, that the Goa children's court refused the CBI request to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR), letter of request, to record Fiona's statement in the UK. Fiona has said repeatedly that she is scared to come to India to meet the CBI to give her statement, because she would be arrested following a case of negligent parenting being issued against her.
"I want the investigations in India to be over fast or the UK coroner will not release my daughter's body for burial. I desperately want to bury my daughter so we can move forward with our lives," said Fiona.
Meanwhile, even as she has written to the police to assure her that she will not be arrested or detained in India and would be allowed to meet the CBI in Mumbai, Fiona has also replied to the questionnaire sent by the Goa police.
The Goa police had raised questions about Fiona's children, her source of income, purpose of visit to India along with her children.
Her replies have been very brief. To a question on whether Scarlett was consuming drugs or liquor, Fiona has replied: Drugs, no. Drink, she was permitted to have a small drink on special occasions with a meal. She has further stated that she was not aware if Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs, nor did she visit nightclubs with her children. As for whether Julio or Scarlett were in love with each other, Fiona's answer has been in the negative.
She has also termed the relationship
between Julio and Scarlett, "platonic, working and friends". She insists she did not leave Scarlett alone with Julio in Goa. "She was not alone. She was in the care of Julio Lobo, an adult man, who was in the care of his aunts. She wanted the experience of working in Goa," Fiona has said in her reply. She has further said that Scarlett stayed in Goa "on her own wish".
To a question on whether she was aware that Julio was looking after Scarlett's day-to-day expenditure, she said, "No. I used to give her money when she visited us and I understand he was paying her for working."
11 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
NGO Sangath to conduct study on autism
NGO Sangath to conduct study on autism
PANAJI: The non-governmental organisation Sangath will conduct a study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children in India, as part of
Autism Research and Training Initiative (ARTI) project in collaboration with Jyot, a Goa based support group for families affected by the disorder.
"Studies in the US, where most work has been done, suggest that up to 1 in 150 children have this disorder. However, there is no reliable data on ASD in India, nor are there any tools to help community health workers identify children with these disorders," said Gauri Divan from Sangath. "As a result, ASD remains a little understood condition in the country," she added.
ASD affects the development of language and communication, social interaction and restricts interests. While development of language and communication deals with the way a child learns vocabulary and describes his needs, social interaction deals with how a child interacts with others and restricted interests means the limited activities that a child is interested in.
Sangath is one of three south Asian organizations to have been awarded grants by the US based NGO Autism Speaks to launch a research program to improve the understanding of ASD in the region.
The ARTI project was launched recently and a two-day meeting was held with the stake-holders in Goa on Thursday, wherein it was agreed to strengthen regional collaboration to improve the understanding of ASD.
12 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: The non-governmental organisation Sangath will conduct a study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children in India, as part of
Autism Research and Training Initiative (ARTI) project in collaboration with Jyot, a Goa based support group for families affected by the disorder.
"Studies in the US, where most work has been done, suggest that up to 1 in 150 children have this disorder. However, there is no reliable data on ASD in India, nor are there any tools to help community health workers identify children with these disorders," said Gauri Divan from Sangath. "As a result, ASD remains a little understood condition in the country," she added.
ASD affects the development of language and communication, social interaction and restricts interests. While development of language and communication deals with the way a child learns vocabulary and describes his needs, social interaction deals with how a child interacts with others and restricted interests means the limited activities that a child is interested in.
Sangath is one of three south Asian organizations to have been awarded grants by the US based NGO Autism Speaks to launch a research program to improve the understanding of ASD in the region.
The ARTI project was launched recently and a two-day meeting was held with the stake-holders in Goa on Thursday, wherein it was agreed to strengthen regional collaboration to improve the understanding of ASD.
12 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
30 rape cases reported in '08
30 rape cases reported in '08
PANAJI: There were more rape cases reported in 2008 than the previous years. In 2008, there were 30 rape cases reported as compared to 20 cases
in 2007 and 21 in 2006. Data reveals that more minors were raped as compared to majors in the state.
Statistics available with the police department show that in 2005 there were 20 cases of rape, of which 15 victims were minors while five were majors. In 2006, there were 21 cases of rape, of which 14 were minors and seven majors.
The situation was not very different in 2007 when 20 cases of rape were registered. Of these, 15 were minor victims while five were major. The number of rape cases rose to 30 in 2008, with 18 minor and 12 major victims.
Even though the rate of detection has improved, the conviction rate remains low. In 2004, about 48 persons were accused of rape. While in 2005, 33 were accused of rape, in 2006, 19 were arrested. In 2007, 24 were arrested for rape and the number increased to 39 in 2008.
In 2004, six accused were convicted in a rape case, while in 2005, only one person was convicted. The trend continued in 2006 with one person being convicted for rape. In 2007, two persons were convicted for rape. In 2008, there was not a single conviction of rape, the records revealed.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: There were more rape cases reported in 2008 than the previous years. In 2008, there were 30 rape cases reported as compared to 20 cases
in 2007 and 21 in 2006. Data reveals that more minors were raped as compared to majors in the state.
Statistics available with the police department show that in 2005 there were 20 cases of rape, of which 15 victims were minors while five were majors. In 2006, there were 21 cases of rape, of which 14 were minors and seven majors.
The situation was not very different in 2007 when 20 cases of rape were registered. Of these, 15 were minor victims while five were major. The number of rape cases rose to 30 in 2008, with 18 minor and 12 major victims.
Even though the rate of detection has improved, the conviction rate remains low. In 2004, about 48 persons were accused of rape. While in 2005, 33 were accused of rape, in 2006, 19 were arrested. In 2007, 24 were arrested for rape and the number increased to 39 in 2008.
In 2004, six accused were convicted in a rape case, while in 2005, only one person was convicted. The trend continued in 2006 with one person being convicted for rape. In 2007, two persons were convicted for rape. In 2008, there was not a single conviction of rape, the records revealed.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Modi grounded
Modi grounded
Narendra Modi arrived two hours late for his rally at Bicholim on Wednesday and apologized saying, “I was supposed to come by helicopter. But
they refused to take off stating that it was dark. Therefore, I had travel by road.”
Police sources said, “He got late in Maharashtra and as it was dark when he arrived in Goa, it was not advisable to move him in a helicopter from Dabolim to Bicholim.”
An AAI official said, “I think the Navy should be contacted about this as it was the their Air Traffic Controller on duty at that time.” Queries with the Navy drew a similar response. “It is the AAI who has to answer this. It is the AAI who had stipulated rules on no flights after sunset,” a navy official said.
16 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Narendra Modi arrived two hours late for his rally at Bicholim on Wednesday and apologized saying, “I was supposed to come by helicopter. But
they refused to take off stating that it was dark. Therefore, I had travel by road.”
Police sources said, “He got late in Maharashtra and as it was dark when he arrived in Goa, it was not advisable to move him in a helicopter from Dabolim to Bicholim.”
An AAI official said, “I think the Navy should be contacted about this as it was the their Air Traffic Controller on duty at that time.” Queries with the Navy drew a similar response. “It is the AAI who has to answer this. It is the AAI who had stipulated rules on no flights after sunset,” a navy official said.
16 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Chief Secretary's told to ensure that no info about voter support to political parties is collected
Told To Ensure That No Info About Voter Support To Political Parties Is Collected
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Central home department has sent a circular to chief secretaries of all states and union territories asking them to ensure that the
state police and intelligence authorities don't collect data regarding electoral
support to political parties at the village level. The Election Commission has termed such activities of the police department as "extra jurisdictional".
Government sources said that the home secretary, government of India, had sent the circular almost a fortnight back to chief secretaries after the Election Commission objected to the "collection of data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia" during the elections by the state police and intelligence authorities.
Special home secretary Diwan Chand confirmed the receipt of the letter. "We have received a letter from the home secretary and it has been sent to the director general of police for necessary action." SP (Special branch) who is also the PRO, Atmaram V Deshpande, confirmed having received the circular. Saying that "it is an internal communication", he refused to comment any further.
The circular notes that the EC has observed that using the police and intelligence authorities to collect information from grassroots is a misuse of government machinery and "by no stretch can be treated as part of the duties and responsibilities of the police department".The circular also states that the EC has asked that necessary systems be put in place to ensure that "such extra-jurisdictional activities of the police department" are kept in check and don't occur.
Sources said that the EC had intimated the home ministry about certain communications in a particular state directing the police and intelligence authorities in that state to collect data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia. However, the name of the state which had issued such directions is not mentioned in the letter.
The submission of regular political inputs to the ruling party, due to which they have an edge over their political rivals, is common even in Goa. However government sources discarded such a possibility saying, "There is no direction from the state government to collect information about electoral support to political parties at grassroots."
9 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Central home department has sent a circular to chief secretaries of all states and union territories asking them to ensure that the
state police and intelligence authorities don't collect data regarding electoral
support to political parties at the village level. The Election Commission has termed such activities of the police department as "extra jurisdictional".
Government sources said that the home secretary, government of India, had sent the circular almost a fortnight back to chief secretaries after the Election Commission objected to the "collection of data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia" during the elections by the state police and intelligence authorities.
Special home secretary Diwan Chand confirmed the receipt of the letter. "We have received a letter from the home secretary and it has been sent to the director general of police for necessary action." SP (Special branch) who is also the PRO, Atmaram V Deshpande, confirmed having received the circular. Saying that "it is an internal communication", he refused to comment any further.
The circular notes that the EC has observed that using the police and intelligence authorities to collect information from grassroots is a misuse of government machinery and "by no stretch can be treated as part of the duties and responsibilities of the police department".The circular also states that the EC has asked that necessary systems be put in place to ensure that "such extra-jurisdictional activities of the police department" are kept in check and don't occur.
Sources said that the EC had intimated the home ministry about certain communications in a particular state directing the police and intelligence authorities in that state to collect data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia. However, the name of the state which had issued such directions is not mentioned in the letter.
The submission of regular political inputs to the ruling party, due to which they have an edge over their political rivals, is common even in Goa. However government sources discarded such a possibility saying, "There is no direction from the state government to collect information about electoral support to political parties at grassroots."
9 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS
Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The Leela approached the high court opposing the state government's move to shift all casino vessels to Aguada Bay stating that it would
affect its commercial operations. It also said it had permission from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to operate the vessel within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi. But now it appears there is more than meets the eye.
Replying to Leela's claim, DGS has filed an affidavit in the high court pointing out that the vessel has major technical deficiencies and cannot operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters.
"The owners of MV The Leela put up the vessel for certification as a class VII passenger vessel, the lowest class permissible. However, the vessel couldn't meet the requirements for even this class, as it didn't comply with many of the rule requirements," states the affidavit. It adds, "The Leela, in its present condition, can't operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters."
When contacted, all that a Leela Venture Ltd official said was, "We have taken permission from DGS to operate on river Mandovi as a class VII passenger vessel and we have been granted the same. This is also displayed on the vessel."
The situation is akin to a 15-year-old luxury bus with major technical deficiencies not meeting the required RTO fitness standards yet being granted permission on the bus operator's assurance that it will ply only within city limits.
The Leela was accorded the certification after exemptions were granted with regard to watertight doors, deadlights for scuttles/windows for emergency use, double bottom tanks, detachable sills to facilitate safe passenger entry and exit, and exemption for diesel engine driven emergency fire pump with hand cranking. All this was explained in a letter from DGS to Leela on June 18, 2008.
The affidavit also states, "The vessel has major technical deficiencies with reference to the applicable rule requirements. Due to this, its operation as a passenger vessel is restricted to within sheltered waters. In case they want to operate the vessel beyond sheltered waters of any port or river, they have to rectify the deficiencies and comply fully with the relevant rules applicable for a passenger vessel for the intended area and season of operation."
Refuting the casino vessel's claim that it had DGS's permission to operate within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi, DGS said that the owners had themselves requested exemption from various rule requirements for a class VII certification, stating that operation would be restricted to the sheltered waters of river Mandovi, within inland water limits, that it will operate in inshore areas where traffic restrictions are not applicable, that the vessel will not ferry passengers and that the vessel will not sail or cruise, but remain moored in the river, except for bunkering purposes at which time there will be no passengers on board. This, Leela had communicated to the DGS on June 9, 2008.
The status and exemptions were granted taking into consideration the area and nature of operation of the vessel under provisions of MS (Construction and Survey of Passenger Ships) Rules 1981.
Passenger ships in India are classified in seven classes, class I being the highest and permitted to undertake "international voyages" and class VII the lowest. Class VII passenger vessels can be engaged only on voyages during the "fair season" between ports in India and the aren't allowed further than 5 miles from land.
8 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The Leela approached the high court opposing the state government's move to shift all casino vessels to Aguada Bay stating that it would
affect its commercial operations. It also said it had permission from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to operate the vessel within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi. But now it appears there is more than meets the eye.
Replying to Leela's claim, DGS has filed an affidavit in the high court pointing out that the vessel has major technical deficiencies and cannot operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters.
"The owners of MV The Leela put up the vessel for certification as a class VII passenger vessel, the lowest class permissible. However, the vessel couldn't meet the requirements for even this class, as it didn't comply with many of the rule requirements," states the affidavit. It adds, "The Leela, in its present condition, can't operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters."
When contacted, all that a Leela Venture Ltd official said was, "We have taken permission from DGS to operate on river Mandovi as a class VII passenger vessel and we have been granted the same. This is also displayed on the vessel."
The situation is akin to a 15-year-old luxury bus with major technical deficiencies not meeting the required RTO fitness standards yet being granted permission on the bus operator's assurance that it will ply only within city limits.
The Leela was accorded the certification after exemptions were granted with regard to watertight doors, deadlights for scuttles/windows for emergency use, double bottom tanks, detachable sills to facilitate safe passenger entry and exit, and exemption for diesel engine driven emergency fire pump with hand cranking. All this was explained in a letter from DGS to Leela on June 18, 2008.
The affidavit also states, "The vessel has major technical deficiencies with reference to the applicable rule requirements. Due to this, its operation as a passenger vessel is restricted to within sheltered waters. In case they want to operate the vessel beyond sheltered waters of any port or river, they have to rectify the deficiencies and comply fully with the relevant rules applicable for a passenger vessel for the intended area and season of operation."
Refuting the casino vessel's claim that it had DGS's permission to operate within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi, DGS said that the owners had themselves requested exemption from various rule requirements for a class VII certification, stating that operation would be restricted to the sheltered waters of river Mandovi, within inland water limits, that it will operate in inshore areas where traffic restrictions are not applicable, that the vessel will not ferry passengers and that the vessel will not sail or cruise, but remain moored in the river, except for bunkering purposes at which time there will be no passengers on board. This, Leela had communicated to the DGS on June 9, 2008.
The status and exemptions were granted taking into consideration the area and nature of operation of the vessel under provisions of MS (Construction and Survey of Passenger Ships) Rules 1981.
Passenger ships in India are classified in seven classes, class I being the highest and permitted to undertake "international voyages" and class VII the lowest. Class VII passenger vessels can be engaged only on voyages during the "fair season" between ports in India and the aren't allowed further than 5 miles from land.
8 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, April 03, 2009
Policemen scurry for jobs in Gulf, on ships
Policemen scurry for jobs in Gulf, on ships
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is perhaps what they mean when they say ‘eat your cake and have it too’. The state police is witnessing an increasing trend of its
personnel, mostly constables, going on long sabbaticals, thanks to the state’s extraordinary leave scheme which gives government officials the opportunity to stay away from work for up to five years and take up employment elsewhere.
In 2008, 15 policemen were granted extraordinary leave - a huge jump from the earlier annual average of about five officers. Most of them took up jobs abroad or onboard ships.
Says SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande, “Many avail of the scheme as their police training and field experience gets them high paying jobs as security or vigilance officers on cruise liners or in Gulf countries.” Former SP Alex Rasquinha explains the reason behind the phenomenon, “Not only is a policeman’s salary low, but many, after a few years of service end up with a battered morale as only those with political influence get good postings. Salaries after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are better, but the feeling of not getting anywhere in the force is increasing.”
Records reveal that a majority of the policemen seeking such leave are constables. There are few cases of police sub-inspectors and a lone police inspector seeking extraordinary leave.
3 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is perhaps what they mean when they say ‘eat your cake and have it too’. The state police is witnessing an increasing trend of its
personnel, mostly constables, going on long sabbaticals, thanks to the state’s extraordinary leave scheme which gives government officials the opportunity to stay away from work for up to five years and take up employment elsewhere.
In 2008, 15 policemen were granted extraordinary leave - a huge jump from the earlier annual average of about five officers. Most of them took up jobs abroad or onboard ships.
Says SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande, “Many avail of the scheme as their police training and field experience gets them high paying jobs as security or vigilance officers on cruise liners or in Gulf countries.” Former SP Alex Rasquinha explains the reason behind the phenomenon, “Not only is a policeman’s salary low, but many, after a few years of service end up with a battered morale as only those with political influence get good postings. Salaries after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are better, but the feeling of not getting anywhere in the force is increasing.”
Records reveal that a majority of the policemen seeking such leave are constables. There are few cases of police sub-inspectors and a lone police inspector seeking extraordinary leave.
3 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Goa cops beat up partying tourists
Goa cops beat up partying tourists
TNN
PANAJI: British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), visited a shack on Ozrant beach on Saturday night for some fun but returned home with
injuries and the feeling that Goa is an unsafe holiday destination.
She is among several tourists, domestic and foreign, allegedly beaten up by cops while attending a party. The incident took place when the police tried to stop the party—which they claim was being illegally held—resulting in a clash. “A group of police invaded the beach and indiscriminately beat tourists—children, men and women. Some people are still in hospital and in trauma,” said Bhairavi, who claimed that she too was manhandled by five policemen and a policewoman.
“Four policemen took hold of my arms, another pulled my hair and they tried to drag me away. I was very frightened,” said British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), who claimed to be one of the victims.
“I kept shouting and pulling and after some minutes they let me go. This is the first time I have experienced something like this. Until now, whenever the police have stopped a party it has been politely but firmly, never with sticks and guns. The music gets stopped, but people can stay as long as they like.”
A French tourist, who didn’t wish to be named, said that at about 8 pm on Saturday, they were suddenly surrounded by policemen wielding sticks. “The policemen roughly dragged the DJ and two teenage Indian boys. At the same time they waved their sticks threateningly at us and shouted ‘Leave the beach or we will beat you’. They were hitting the tables and people with sticks, even as some tourists begged for mercy,” the French tourist said. He said there were about 20 policemen, while the tourists at the party were about 50.
“They were all holding lathis (sticks), about six of them had rifles and one had a pistol. The men with rifles were pointing them at tourists, at times right in the tourists’ faces,” said Bhairavi.
Speaking to TOI, SP (PRO) AV Deshpande refuted the allegations and said, “Police had to use mild force because the people at the party started pelting bottles at the Anjuna cops who had gone to stop an illegal party. As there was a riot like situation, the police had to yield to a mild lathi charge to disperse the unruly mob.” He added that four policemen were injured.
The police have arrested three foreigners, as well as shack owner Premnath Agarwadekar, for having an illegal party and playing loud music.
The police also suspect that two foreigners arrested for the attack on Anjuna police might be under the influence of drugs. “While one of the foreigners agreed to a blood and urine test to check for the presence of alcohol and drugs, two others refused the same. We suspect that they may be under the influence of drugs,” said police sources.
The police arrested Russian DJ Sergiy Semachev, 35, German national Wuhl Heinrich Aldysius, 60, and Swedish national Role Peter Gradin, 49. Aldysius who had agreed to the blood and urine test was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Anjuna police have recommended the cancellation of the restaurant’s license to the tourism department for having an illegal dance party and playing loud music.
March 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), visited a shack on Ozrant beach on Saturday night for some fun but returned home with
injuries and the feeling that Goa is an unsafe holiday destination.
She is among several tourists, domestic and foreign, allegedly beaten up by cops while attending a party. The incident took place when the police tried to stop the party—which they claim was being illegally held—resulting in a clash. “A group of police invaded the beach and indiscriminately beat tourists—children, men and women. Some people are still in hospital and in trauma,” said Bhairavi, who claimed that she too was manhandled by five policemen and a policewoman.
“Four policemen took hold of my arms, another pulled my hair and they tried to drag me away. I was very frightened,” said British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), who claimed to be one of the victims.
“I kept shouting and pulling and after some minutes they let me go. This is the first time I have experienced something like this. Until now, whenever the police have stopped a party it has been politely but firmly, never with sticks and guns. The music gets stopped, but people can stay as long as they like.”
A French tourist, who didn’t wish to be named, said that at about 8 pm on Saturday, they were suddenly surrounded by policemen wielding sticks. “The policemen roughly dragged the DJ and two teenage Indian boys. At the same time they waved their sticks threateningly at us and shouted ‘Leave the beach or we will beat you’. They were hitting the tables and people with sticks, even as some tourists begged for mercy,” the French tourist said. He said there were about 20 policemen, while the tourists at the party were about 50.
“They were all holding lathis (sticks), about six of them had rifles and one had a pistol. The men with rifles were pointing them at tourists, at times right in the tourists’ faces,” said Bhairavi.
Speaking to TOI, SP (PRO) AV Deshpande refuted the allegations and said, “Police had to use mild force because the people at the party started pelting bottles at the Anjuna cops who had gone to stop an illegal party. As there was a riot like situation, the police had to yield to a mild lathi charge to disperse the unruly mob.” He added that four policemen were injured.
The police have arrested three foreigners, as well as shack owner Premnath Agarwadekar, for having an illegal party and playing loud music.
The police also suspect that two foreigners arrested for the attack on Anjuna police might be under the influence of drugs. “While one of the foreigners agreed to a blood and urine test to check for the presence of alcohol and drugs, two others refused the same. We suspect that they may be under the influence of drugs,” said police sources.
The police arrested Russian DJ Sergiy Semachev, 35, German national Wuhl Heinrich Aldysius, 60, and Swedish national Role Peter Gradin, 49. Aldysius who had agreed to the blood and urine test was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Anjuna police have recommended the cancellation of the restaurant’s license to the tourism department for having an illegal dance party and playing loud music.
March 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ingo denied business visa to India
Ingo denied business visa to India
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Ingo's Saturday night market at Arpora, which is a popular hotspot among locals and tourists
alike, may soon become a thing of the past.
The brain behind the bazzar Ingo Grill was served a deportation order in 2006, but managed to stay in Goa till March 4, 2009, due to a pending court case. However, Grill has now been denied a business visa to India by the Consulate General of India in Munich as he has been "blacklisted" in India.
In response to Ingo's application on March 9, 2009, to the Consulate General of India in Munich for the grant of a business visa to India, the Indian Consulate replied, "The government of India has considered your case but it is not possible to issue a visa for the purpose mentioned". The reply was sent on March 12, 2009.
Speaking to TOI from Germany, Grill, who had left the state on March 4, 2009, for Germany, to renew his visa which expired on March 7, said, "I have been orally told that I am being denied a visa because I have been blacklisted by the Indian authorities. This is a conspiracy to keep me out and take over my business and property."
"Some kind of a trick is being played on me. I came to Goa on a business visa, invested in a business and a home and now I am being denied a visa without even being heard," he added.
Grill, a German national, first came to Goa in the 70s. He set up a company called Saturday Nite Bazaar Private Limited about 8 years ago to start the night market at Arpora, on the lines of the hippie flea markets that began in Anjuna back in the 60s. The Saturday night market slowly evolved into a vibrant bazaar famous for music, food and shopping.
Grill who along with his wife also purchased property in Calangute got on the wrong side of the law in 2006, and was served a notice under Section 3/2 C of the Deportation of Foreigners Act, which gives the government powers to deport a foreign national. He was ultimately served a deportation order on February 3, 2006, as he was "suspected to be involved in undesirable activities". But he could not be deported as he filed an appeal in the court against the order. The matter is still pending in the fast track court.
Grill said, "My family is in Goa and I am in Germany. I came to renew my visa and now I am stuck. I have invested all my life's savings in Goa. If I am denied entry into India, I will lose everything."
19 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Ingo's Saturday night market at Arpora, which is a popular hotspot among locals and tourists
alike, may soon become a thing of the past.
The brain behind the bazzar Ingo Grill was served a deportation order in 2006, but managed to stay in Goa till March 4, 2009, due to a pending court case. However, Grill has now been denied a business visa to India by the Consulate General of India in Munich as he has been "blacklisted" in India.
In response to Ingo's application on March 9, 2009, to the Consulate General of India in Munich for the grant of a business visa to India, the Indian Consulate replied, "The government of India has considered your case but it is not possible to issue a visa for the purpose mentioned". The reply was sent on March 12, 2009.
Speaking to TOI from Germany, Grill, who had left the state on March 4, 2009, for Germany, to renew his visa which expired on March 7, said, "I have been orally told that I am being denied a visa because I have been blacklisted by the Indian authorities. This is a conspiracy to keep me out and take over my business and property."
"Some kind of a trick is being played on me. I came to Goa on a business visa, invested in a business and a home and now I am being denied a visa without even being heard," he added.
Grill, a German national, first came to Goa in the 70s. He set up a company called Saturday Nite Bazaar Private Limited about 8 years ago to start the night market at Arpora, on the lines of the hippie flea markets that began in Anjuna back in the 60s. The Saturday night market slowly evolved into a vibrant bazaar famous for music, food and shopping.
Grill who along with his wife also purchased property in Calangute got on the wrong side of the law in 2006, and was served a notice under Section 3/2 C of the Deportation of Foreigners Act, which gives the government powers to deport a foreign national. He was ultimately served a deportation order on February 3, 2006, as he was "suspected to be involved in undesirable activities". But he could not be deported as he filed an appeal in the court against the order. The matter is still pending in the fast track court.
Grill said, "My family is in Goa and I am in Germany. I came to renew my visa and now I am stuck. I have invested all my life's savings in Goa. If I am denied entry into India, I will lose everything."
19 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Fiona seeks assurance from cops against arrest
Fiona seeks assurance from cops against arrest
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: With the Goa Children's Court refusing the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) request to issue a letter rogatory (LR), which is required to record the statement of Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, in her home in UK, she is now contemplating coming to India to meet the CBI. However, she wants an assurance from the Goa police that she would not be arrested on her arrival in India.
"I am trying to find a way to speak to the CBI and have been emailing them but they have not answered yet," said Fiona in an email from her home in Devon, UK. Fully aware that the court's decision comes as a setback to the CBI, which is struggling to record Fiona's statement, which is crucial in investigating the death of Scarlett at Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008, Fiona is willing to take the risk. The central investigating agency had moved the application in the Goa Children's Court seeking permission to issue the letter, which would have roped in the Interpol in London to take Fiona's statement.
"I do think the Goa police could arrest me or take my passport to stop me leaving until they finished investigations and I would need some reassurance that this would not happen before I would fly to Mumbai to talk to the CBI," she said. The Goa police is inquiring into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
Fiona's counsel Vikram Varma said, "I will ask her to come to India as she wants to assist the CBI as well as the Goa police in its inquiry. But she needs to be assured in writing that the Goa police will not harass her and she will be able to return back to her country to look after her children."
He added, "It is too often in this country that complainants and witnesses are harassed to a point where they don't pursue the case to the advantage of the accused. I hope we can reverse such a probability in this matter."
Meanwhile, as the case drags on and Fiona's trip to India has been delayed, Scarlett awaits a decent burial, even after a year of her death. Infact, the organs have not even reached UK. "The organs are supposed to be collected by an undertaker from Mumbai. But there will be no burial until the investigations in India are over," she added.
17 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: With the Goa Children's Court refusing the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) request to issue a letter rogatory (LR), which is required to record the statement of Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, in her home in UK, she is now contemplating coming to India to meet the CBI. However, she wants an assurance from the Goa police that she would not be arrested on her arrival in India.
"I am trying to find a way to speak to the CBI and have been emailing them but they have not answered yet," said Fiona in an email from her home in Devon, UK. Fully aware that the court's decision comes as a setback to the CBI, which is struggling to record Fiona's statement, which is crucial in investigating the death of Scarlett at Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008, Fiona is willing to take the risk. The central investigating agency had moved the application in the Goa Children's Court seeking permission to issue the letter, which would have roped in the Interpol in London to take Fiona's statement.
"I do think the Goa police could arrest me or take my passport to stop me leaving until they finished investigations and I would need some reassurance that this would not happen before I would fly to Mumbai to talk to the CBI," she said. The Goa police is inquiring into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
Fiona's counsel Vikram Varma said, "I will ask her to come to India as she wants to assist the CBI as well as the Goa police in its inquiry. But she needs to be assured in writing that the Goa police will not harass her and she will be able to return back to her country to look after her children."
He added, "It is too often in this country that complainants and witnesses are harassed to a point where they don't pursue the case to the advantage of the accused. I hope we can reverse such a probability in this matter."
Meanwhile, as the case drags on and Fiona's trip to India has been delayed, Scarlett awaits a decent burial, even after a year of her death. Infact, the organs have not even reached UK. "The organs are supposed to be collected by an undertaker from Mumbai. But there will be no burial until the investigations in India are over," she added.
17 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
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