CBI to take over Scarlett case
Almost a month after the state government issued a notification seeking the transfer of the rape and murder case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling to the CBI, the central investigating agency has registered the case and will soon take over it from the Goa police. The case has been registered after the notification issued under Section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
06 June 2008, The Times of India, Goa Edition
Friday, June 06, 2008
No male DNA found in Scarlett swab
No male DNA found in Scarlett swab
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police request to subject Samson D'Souza, the main accused in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case, to narco analysis, brain signature profiling and psychological evaluation tests, including polygraph, has been rejected by the children's court.
The court questioned the constitutional validity of such scientific tests to which an accused has not consented and turned down the police request as they had failed to disclose reasons for the tests.
The police had requested the tests almost a month after Samson's arrest on March 9, 2008.
"Even to allow the police to take an accused for such tests, there should at least be a whisper in the application that the accused, who had been in police custody for 15 days, had not co-operated with the investigations and without the said scientific tests the prosecution is left without any clue," the Children's Court president Desmond D'Costa said.
Meanwhile, more evidence has come to light about the report submitted by Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad. TOI had reported on Wednesday that swab samples taken from Scarlett's mouth and vagina had tested negative for the presence of semen.
It is now learnt that the police had not only sent samples of Scarlett's vaginal, buccal and anal swabs and smear slides, pubic hair and her clothes, but also the urethral swabs and smear slides and pubic hair of both the accused, Samson and Placido Carvalho aka Shana Boy. Besides, samples of sand, sea water and pieces of Scarlett's liver and lungs were sent for examination to Hyderabad on March 19, 2008.
"The report has revealed that neither semen nor blood could be detected in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs or smear slides. Semen was not detected in the samples of her pubic hair," said a top police official, on conditions of anonymity.
The official also said that according to the report, there was no trace of male DNA in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police request to subject Samson D'Souza, the main accused in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case, to narco analysis, brain signature profiling and psychological evaluation tests, including polygraph, has been rejected by the children's court.
The court questioned the constitutional validity of such scientific tests to which an accused has not consented and turned down the police request as they had failed to disclose reasons for the tests.
The police had requested the tests almost a month after Samson's arrest on March 9, 2008.
"Even to allow the police to take an accused for such tests, there should at least be a whisper in the application that the accused, who had been in police custody for 15 days, had not co-operated with the investigations and without the said scientific tests the prosecution is left without any clue," the Children's Court president Desmond D'Costa said.
Meanwhile, more evidence has come to light about the report submitted by Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad. TOI had reported on Wednesday that swab samples taken from Scarlett's mouth and vagina had tested negative for the presence of semen.
It is now learnt that the police had not only sent samples of Scarlett's vaginal, buccal and anal swabs and smear slides, pubic hair and her clothes, but also the urethral swabs and smear slides and pubic hair of both the accused, Samson and Placido Carvalho aka Shana Boy. Besides, samples of sand, sea water and pieces of Scarlett's liver and lungs were sent for examination to Hyderabad on March 19, 2008.
"The report has revealed that neither semen nor blood could be detected in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs or smear slides. Semen was not detected in the samples of her pubic hair," said a top police official, on conditions of anonymity.
The official also said that according to the report, there was no trace of male DNA in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Cops, NCW spar over Scarlett case
Cops, NCW spar over Scarlett case
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the Goa police said that they had issued summons to the two members of the National Commission for Women who had visited Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett, NCW member Nirmala Venkatesh said that the police have no power to summon the Commission.
The police had summoned the two NCW members, who after visiting Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown and going through Scarlett's photos clicked soon after her death, had announced to the media that the brutal crime of rape and murder was committed by more than three men. IGP Kishan Kumar confirmed that summons were issued to them.
Since Venkatesh had told mediapersons that "while one man probably injected morphine into her back, another man tried to silence her, the third man squeezed her and the fourth man must have raped her and then drowned her in water," the police had summoned them.
However Venkatesh denied receipt of any summons from the police. "NCW's implementing machinery is the police. How can the police issue summons to the Commission? Before we left Goa, we had met the Goa police and discussed everything with them."
Venkatesh added, "Our final report on Scarlett case is ready and we would soon release it."
CFSL report surprises forensic doctors
Panaji: Along with Scarlett's swabs, the police had sent to Hyderabad's CFSL, samples of sea water, pieces of Scarlett's lungs and liver. "They were subjected to acid digestion and subsequent microscopic examinations, and no diatoms (micro-organisms found in water) could be detected in them," added the top police official.
The absence of diatoms in all three samples has surprised the forensic doctors at Goa Medical College. "In all types of water, diatom is present and this test is done to see if the place of death differs from the place from where the body was found.
"However, the statement that no diatom could be detected in the samples of sea water, lungs and liver is misleading," added a forensic doctor.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa editi
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the Goa police said that they had issued summons to the two members of the National Commission for Women who had visited Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett, NCW member Nirmala Venkatesh said that the police have no power to summon the Commission.
The police had summoned the two NCW members, who after visiting Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown and going through Scarlett's photos clicked soon after her death, had announced to the media that the brutal crime of rape and murder was committed by more than three men. IGP Kishan Kumar confirmed that summons were issued to them.
Since Venkatesh had told mediapersons that "while one man probably injected morphine into her back, another man tried to silence her, the third man squeezed her and the fourth man must have raped her and then drowned her in water," the police had summoned them.
However Venkatesh denied receipt of any summons from the police. "NCW's implementing machinery is the police. How can the police issue summons to the Commission? Before we left Goa, we had met the Goa police and discussed everything with them."
Venkatesh added, "Our final report on Scarlett case is ready and we would soon release it."
CFSL report surprises forensic doctors
Panaji: Along with Scarlett's swabs, the police had sent to Hyderabad's CFSL, samples of sea water, pieces of Scarlett's lungs and liver. "They were subjected to acid digestion and subsequent microscopic examinations, and no diatoms (micro-organisms found in water) could be detected in them," added the top police official.
The absence of diatoms in all three samples has surprised the forensic doctors at Goa Medical College. "In all types of water, diatom is present and this test is done to see if the place of death differs from the place from where the body was found.
"However, the statement that no diatom could be detected in the samples of sea water, lungs and liver is misleading," added a forensic doctor.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa editi
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Scarlett swab report deals blow to cops
Scarlett swab report deals blow to cops
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: British teenager Scarlett Keeling may not have been raped on the night before her death. Swab samples taken from her mouth and vagina have tested negative for the presence of sperms, top police officials told TOI on Tuesday.
This deals a severe blow to the prosecution case. The police on Saturday had filed a provisional charge-sheet against the main accused under various sections including rape and murder.
SP (North) Bosco George confirmed the test reports have arrived from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, but refused to comment on the findings.
The police claim that a drugged Scarlett was sexually assaulted by prime accused Samson D’Souza and then left in water on Anjuna beach, leading to her death. The police had arrested Samson based on another accused Placido Carvalho alias Shana Boy’s statement that he had seen a half naked (without his trousers and underwear) Samson lying atop the minor girl and in a position of having sex at 4.45 am. Even key witness Michael Mannion aka Masala Mike, a Britisher, had confirmed this.
Later Shana was also arrested allegedly for administering drugs with the common intent to commit rape and murder. He was released on bail by the Children’s Court as there was absolutely no material to indicate that he had given Ecstasy tablets or cocaine to Scarlett nor was there any material to indicate his nexus with the offences of rape and murder.
The provisional 287-page charge-sheet filed by the Anjuna police seeks to try Samson and Placido under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 201 (disappearance of evidence), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 109 (abetment) of the Indian Penal Code and under section 8(1) 2 of Goa Children’s Act.
The police have also submitted a list of 87 witnesses to be examined in the case. The charge-sheet also alleges that the deceased was administered drugs and raped before the murder and that she was drowned in the sea on February 18, 2008.
2008 Jun 04 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: British teenager Scarlett Keeling may not have been raped on the night before her death. Swab samples taken from her mouth and vagina have tested negative for the presence of sperms, top police officials told TOI on Tuesday.
This deals a severe blow to the prosecution case. The police on Saturday had filed a provisional charge-sheet against the main accused under various sections including rape and murder.
SP (North) Bosco George confirmed the test reports have arrived from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, but refused to comment on the findings.
The police claim that a drugged Scarlett was sexually assaulted by prime accused Samson D’Souza and then left in water on Anjuna beach, leading to her death. The police had arrested Samson based on another accused Placido Carvalho alias Shana Boy’s statement that he had seen a half naked (without his trousers and underwear) Samson lying atop the minor girl and in a position of having sex at 4.45 am. Even key witness Michael Mannion aka Masala Mike, a Britisher, had confirmed this.
Later Shana was also arrested allegedly for administering drugs with the common intent to commit rape and murder. He was released on bail by the Children’s Court as there was absolutely no material to indicate that he had given Ecstasy tablets or cocaine to Scarlett nor was there any material to indicate his nexus with the offences of rape and murder.
The provisional 287-page charge-sheet filed by the Anjuna police seeks to try Samson and Placido under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 201 (disappearance of evidence), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 109 (abetment) of the Indian Penal Code and under section 8(1) 2 of Goa Children’s Act.
The police have also submitted a list of 87 witnesses to be examined in the case. The charge-sheet also alleges that the deceased was administered drugs and raped before the murder and that she was drowned in the sea on February 18, 2008.
2008 Jun 04 Times Of India Goa
Security agencies under scanner
Security agencies under scanner
Background Verification For Guards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Irrespective of how well established they are, security agencies in the state will have to queue up for fresh licenses shortly.
The Private Security Agencies Rules 2008 announced in a government gazette is expected to be notified in a week’s time.
It states that all agencies offering security services have to secure a licence from the special secretary (home) who has been appointed as the controlling authority.
In the past such licences were issued by municipal authorities and often led to the mushrooming of fly-bynight agencies which in turn caused “severe security threats”, said top police officials.
Speaking to TOI, controlling authority Diwan Chand said, “Even if the agencies have been doing business they have to take a (new) licence to operate. The fees for issue of licence is Rs 5,000 if operating in one district and Rs 10,000 if operating throughout the state. It is valid for 5 years.”
He added that the licence would be granted only after the district superitendent of police verified the credentials of the agency owners, checked if they possess skills or qualifications to operate an agency and confirmed that the business was not prejudicial to national security or public order.
Under the rules, the background and character of every security guard would also have to be verified by the police within 30 days if the guard is from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state.
All guards including ex-servicemen and former police officers would have to be given classroom and field training.
Apart from basic skills they would be trained in crowd control, identification of improvised explosive devices as well as handling and operation of non-prohibited weapons and firearms.
“We want security agencies to employ duly verified security guards so that they can offer protection rather than become liabilities to the police or threats to society,” said director general of police B S Brar who has been pushing for this notification with the home ministry.
Adding that such checks help to catch criminals guised as security guards and deter guards from indulging in crimes Brar said, “If security personnel are properly trained in handling arms we can even thwart any kind of criminal design, including terrorism.”
He admitted that the police are unaware of the number of private security agencies operating in the state and the skill levels of the guards.
Sources in private security agencies revealed that at present anyone with even a little experience or knowledge of this industry launched a company after securing permission from municipal authorities.
“There are about 20 successful establishments in the state, but 100 small time operators sign up every year along with a few fly-by-night operators,” informed a security agency officer.
He goes on to say that only 10 percent of Goans worked as security guards whereas the majority of them are hired from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam. The rules are part of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005.
What’s in store?
All private security agencies to seek fresh license from government This license is valid for a period of 5 years All private security agencies’ owners and employees to be verified Police have to verify background and character of a person within 30 days if from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state All private security guards would be trained, some in using firearms
Background Verification For Guards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Irrespective of how well established they are, security agencies in the state will have to queue up for fresh licenses shortly.
The Private Security Agencies Rules 2008 announced in a government gazette is expected to be notified in a week’s time.
It states that all agencies offering security services have to secure a licence from the special secretary (home) who has been appointed as the controlling authority.
In the past such licences were issued by municipal authorities and often led to the mushrooming of fly-bynight agencies which in turn caused “severe security threats”, said top police officials.
Speaking to TOI, controlling authority Diwan Chand said, “Even if the agencies have been doing business they have to take a (new) licence to operate. The fees for issue of licence is Rs 5,000 if operating in one district and Rs 10,000 if operating throughout the state. It is valid for 5 years.”
He added that the licence would be granted only after the district superitendent of police verified the credentials of the agency owners, checked if they possess skills or qualifications to operate an agency and confirmed that the business was not prejudicial to national security or public order.
Under the rules, the background and character of every security guard would also have to be verified by the police within 30 days if the guard is from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state.
All guards including ex-servicemen and former police officers would have to be given classroom and field training.
Apart from basic skills they would be trained in crowd control, identification of improvised explosive devices as well as handling and operation of non-prohibited weapons and firearms.
“We want security agencies to employ duly verified security guards so that they can offer protection rather than become liabilities to the police or threats to society,” said director general of police B S Brar who has been pushing for this notification with the home ministry.
Adding that such checks help to catch criminals guised as security guards and deter guards from indulging in crimes Brar said, “If security personnel are properly trained in handling arms we can even thwart any kind of criminal design, including terrorism.”
He admitted that the police are unaware of the number of private security agencies operating in the state and the skill levels of the guards.
Sources in private security agencies revealed that at present anyone with even a little experience or knowledge of this industry launched a company after securing permission from municipal authorities.
“There are about 20 successful establishments in the state, but 100 small time operators sign up every year along with a few fly-by-night operators,” informed a security agency officer.
He goes on to say that only 10 percent of Goans worked as security guards whereas the majority of them are hired from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam. The rules are part of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005.
What’s in store?
All private security agencies to seek fresh license from government This license is valid for a period of 5 years All private security agencies’ owners and employees to be verified Police have to verify background and character of a person within 30 days if from Goa or 90 days if from outside the state All private security guards would be trained, some in using firearms
Death of Russian detective bares drug, sex trade in state
Death of Russian detective bares drug, sex trade in state
Police Rule Out Any Chance Of Foul Play
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The mystery surrounding the death of the Russian law enforcement officer in Goa has exposed another tale of drugs and sex, even as TOI investigations have confirmed that Eugeny Kuzmin (25) was in the state specifically to check
whether the drug trade had any Russian links.
Kuzmin was on a secret mission to investigate if there is any involvement of Russian nationals in the drug trade in Goa. Moscow was concerned with several allegations of Russians being involved in the drug trade, and had sent Kuzmin to Goa for an undercover investigation. He was found dead in his hotel room in Mandrem on December 9, 2007.
The enforcement officer’s sudden death had created a furore in Russia. The Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation had written a letter to the Goa chief minister and chief secretary on February 15, 2008, raising concerns about his demise.
TOI investigations also reveal that an Assagao-based Russian is a kingpin in the drug trade. “The Russian brain behind the drug trade in Goa is a Disc Jockey (DJ) who resides in North Goa. He operates in the coastal areas of Morjim, Arambol and Ashvem in Pernem taluka with the help of locals,” a shack owner from Anjuna told TOI.
It is alleged that the DJ supplies narcotics, especially MDMA, at rave parties and women are used as runners to sell drugs. However, the Russian authorities refused to divulge any further information.
“Kuzmin’s death remains shrouded in mystery. A scrutiny of the viscera report would greatly help in bringing some clarity to the cause of death. However, the circumstances preceding his death must be investigated and recorded to assist justice,” said Vikram Varma, counsel for Consul general of Russian Federation, Mumbai.
However, the Goa police has ruled out foul play. “The inquiry conducted so far has revealed that there is no foul play in the death of Kuzmin,” said SP Bosco George.
2008 May 07 Times Of India Goa
Police Rule Out Any Chance Of Foul Play
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The mystery surrounding the death of the Russian law enforcement officer in Goa has exposed another tale of drugs and sex, even as TOI investigations have confirmed that Eugeny Kuzmin (25) was in the state specifically to check
whether the drug trade had any Russian links.
Kuzmin was on a secret mission to investigate if there is any involvement of Russian nationals in the drug trade in Goa. Moscow was concerned with several allegations of Russians being involved in the drug trade, and had sent Kuzmin to Goa for an undercover investigation. He was found dead in his hotel room in Mandrem on December 9, 2007.
The enforcement officer’s sudden death had created a furore in Russia. The Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation had written a letter to the Goa chief minister and chief secretary on February 15, 2008, raising concerns about his demise.
TOI investigations also reveal that an Assagao-based Russian is a kingpin in the drug trade. “The Russian brain behind the drug trade in Goa is a Disc Jockey (DJ) who resides in North Goa. He operates in the coastal areas of Morjim, Arambol and Ashvem in Pernem taluka with the help of locals,” a shack owner from Anjuna told TOI.
It is alleged that the DJ supplies narcotics, especially MDMA, at rave parties and women are used as runners to sell drugs. However, the Russian authorities refused to divulge any further information.
“Kuzmin’s death remains shrouded in mystery. A scrutiny of the viscera report would greatly help in bringing some clarity to the cause of death. However, the circumstances preceding his death must be investigated and recorded to assist justice,” said Vikram Varma, counsel for Consul general of Russian Federation, Mumbai.
However, the Goa police has ruled out foul play. “The inquiry conducted so far has revealed that there is no foul play in the death of Kuzmin,” said SP Bosco George.
2008 May 07 Times Of India Goa
Produce It, Dump It, FORGET IT
Produce It, Dump It, FORGET IT
That’s What Goa Does With The Hundreds Of Tonnes Of Garbage It Produces Every Day. Some Positives Are There But Experts Warn We May Be Sitting On An Environmental Time-Bomb
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa’s homes produce 300 tonnes of garbage daily. More bio-medical waste comes from the hospitals and nursing homes. But most of this waste — some of it potentially hazardous to the environment — is dumped all over the state without any regard to the norms, some of which are a decade old.
Only five towns — Panaji, Bicholim, Mormugao, Canacona and Margao — have dumping grounds right now and these, too, are more than 75 per cent full. “We are staring at a real problem,” environmentalist Clinton Vaz said. “Even these towns, which have dumping grounds, are operating without safety precautions. They should be closed down and remedial measures should be taken immediately,” he added.
The other towns and villages do not even have a dumping ground; waste is dumped wherever possible, often in rivers and the backwaters, resulting in these water bodies choking and causing floods during the monsoon.
The bio-medical waste that Goa’s healthcare centres produce top the list of environmental concerns.
Only Goa Medical College and Hospital has the wherewithal to dispose of biomedical waste properly right now; it treats its own waste and that which comes from the two district hospitals (Asilo Hospital in Mapusa and Hospicio Hospital in Margao).
But this does not take into account the tonnes of bio-medical waste generated by Goa's 19 government primary health centres and 123 private nursing homes and hospitals. The PHCs dump their waste on their premises itself. Most of the private hospitals and nursing homes do the same or dispose of the waste with the other garbage that goes to municipality dumps; and not one of Goa’s towns has the wherewithal to segregate biomedical waste from other waste. This is extremely dangerous for Goans and Goa’s environment, say experts.
“Bio-medical waste, if not treated properly, can lead to disease outbreaks. Toxic waste can contaminate the water table during monsoon,” Goa State Pollution Control Board memeber-secretary Ashok Daiwajna said. Garbage is often burnt and the fumes can cause rashes and respiratory problems. Environmental activist Patricia Pinto agreed: “The toxic waste seeping into the groundwater can contaminate wells.”
Environmentalists are not painting an unnecessarily nightmarish picture; this has already happened in Curca. Garbage from both Panaji and Mapusa was being dumped in a land-fill site there without being treated. The site soon overflowed with garbage — it was meant to take garbage only from Panaji — and it started to be burnt. Very soon, the inevitable happened; waste seeped into the ground, contaminating wells and destroying fields. Residents there now drink tanker water.
The Curca problem has had a direct consequence. No town or village now wants a dump in its backyard and the administration has had a tough time scouring for vacant areas for land-fill sites for garbage.
“It’s extremely sad that compliance has not been achieved despite the High Court of Bombay at Goa directing the state director of health services to ensure that establishments covered by the Bio-medical Waste Management and Handling Rules-1998 complied with the rules in six months," environment lawyer Norma Alvares said.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
That’s What Goa Does With The Hundreds Of Tonnes Of Garbage It Produces Every Day. Some Positives Are There But Experts Warn We May Be Sitting On An Environmental Time-Bomb
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa’s homes produce 300 tonnes of garbage daily. More bio-medical waste comes from the hospitals and nursing homes. But most of this waste — some of it potentially hazardous to the environment — is dumped all over the state without any regard to the norms, some of which are a decade old.
Only five towns — Panaji, Bicholim, Mormugao, Canacona and Margao — have dumping grounds right now and these, too, are more than 75 per cent full. “We are staring at a real problem,” environmentalist Clinton Vaz said. “Even these towns, which have dumping grounds, are operating without safety precautions. They should be closed down and remedial measures should be taken immediately,” he added.
The other towns and villages do not even have a dumping ground; waste is dumped wherever possible, often in rivers and the backwaters, resulting in these water bodies choking and causing floods during the monsoon.
The bio-medical waste that Goa’s healthcare centres produce top the list of environmental concerns.
Only Goa Medical College and Hospital has the wherewithal to dispose of biomedical waste properly right now; it treats its own waste and that which comes from the two district hospitals (Asilo Hospital in Mapusa and Hospicio Hospital in Margao).
But this does not take into account the tonnes of bio-medical waste generated by Goa's 19 government primary health centres and 123 private nursing homes and hospitals. The PHCs dump their waste on their premises itself. Most of the private hospitals and nursing homes do the same or dispose of the waste with the other garbage that goes to municipality dumps; and not one of Goa’s towns has the wherewithal to segregate biomedical waste from other waste. This is extremely dangerous for Goans and Goa’s environment, say experts.
“Bio-medical waste, if not treated properly, can lead to disease outbreaks. Toxic waste can contaminate the water table during monsoon,” Goa State Pollution Control Board memeber-secretary Ashok Daiwajna said. Garbage is often burnt and the fumes can cause rashes and respiratory problems. Environmental activist Patricia Pinto agreed: “The toxic waste seeping into the groundwater can contaminate wells.”
Environmentalists are not painting an unnecessarily nightmarish picture; this has already happened in Curca. Garbage from both Panaji and Mapusa was being dumped in a land-fill site there without being treated. The site soon overflowed with garbage — it was meant to take garbage only from Panaji — and it started to be burnt. Very soon, the inevitable happened; waste seeped into the ground, contaminating wells and destroying fields. Residents there now drink tanker water.
The Curca problem has had a direct consequence. No town or village now wants a dump in its backyard and the administration has had a tough time scouring for vacant areas for land-fill sites for garbage.
“It’s extremely sad that compliance has not been achieved despite the High Court of Bombay at Goa directing the state director of health services to ensure that establishments covered by the Bio-medical Waste Management and Handling Rules-1998 complied with the rules in six months," environment lawyer Norma Alvares said.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
NO MORE PRETTY
NO MORE PRETTY
-- Preetu Nair
The picture-perfect beaches in the coastal villages are turning into environmental cesspools, thanks to garbage. The Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme-2005 requires all panchayats to identify collection-cum-composting sites that can treat bio-degradable waste and store nonbiodegradable waste. The state government should bear the cost of acquisition of land.
But none of the 26 coastal village panchayats has a garbage-treatment plant and most don’t even have a site. Shack and restaurant owners dump garbage either on the beach despite regular awareness programmes on how to treat and segregate garbage. The government has set up 11 plastic shredders in each taluka to treat recyclable non-biodegradable waste generated by panchayats but there is no way to treat non-recyclable, biodegradable waste.
Calangute is the only village with its own dumping site and garbage is disposed of via contractors.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
-- Preetu Nair
The picture-perfect beaches in the coastal villages are turning into environmental cesspools, thanks to garbage. The Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme-2005 requires all panchayats to identify collection-cum-composting sites that can treat bio-degradable waste and store nonbiodegradable waste. The state government should bear the cost of acquisition of land.
But none of the 26 coastal village panchayats has a garbage-treatment plant and most don’t even have a site. Shack and restaurant owners dump garbage either on the beach despite regular awareness programmes on how to treat and segregate garbage. The government has set up 11 plastic shredders in each taluka to treat recyclable non-biodegradable waste generated by panchayats but there is no way to treat non-recyclable, biodegradable waste.
Calangute is the only village with its own dumping site and garbage is disposed of via contractors.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
Probe attacks: Russia tells Goa govt
Probe attacks: Russia tells Goa govt
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: India and Russia may share excellent bilateral ties, but it appears that the relations have soured a little in Goa during this tourist season. Unhappy with the manner in which Russians who visit Goa are treated, the Russian consulate has shot off letters to the state government during the last few months.
“In the last few months, the Russian Federation’s consulate in Mumbai has sent ten letters referring to 16 incidents. In the letters, the Russian Federation draws the authorities’ attention to police action and inaction in cases relating to homicide, cheating, assualt, property matters and wrongful deportation of Russians,” said an official from the home department.
Advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma, refused to comment on the correspondence between the Russian consulate and the Goa government. “But I can confirm that far more attention on matters concerning Russian citizens need to be given by the Goa government,” informed Varma.
Added to this are apprehensions in the minds of few Russian tourists who have started to question Goa’s status as a safe tourist destination. “We are pre-judged as criminals and harassed in Goa. This is really unfortunate. Many of my friends, who were ill-treated by the locals with police support have complained to the Russian government,” said a Russian tourist, who didn’t wish to reveal his identity.
However, chief secretary J P Singh said, “Goa is a safe destination. The Russian Consul
General had brought up certain cases and we are looking into some of the allegations.”
It is reliably learnt that, worried about the increasing incidents against Russians in Goa, the Consul General, Alexander Mantytsky, had visited the state in March and met government officials. “During the meetings with the state government officials, he had discussed six cases,” revealed a home department official. IGP Kishan Kumar has stated that most matters are under investigation.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: India and Russia may share excellent bilateral ties, but it appears that the relations have soured a little in Goa during this tourist season. Unhappy with the manner in which Russians who visit Goa are treated, the Russian consulate has shot off letters to the state government during the last few months.
“In the last few months, the Russian Federation’s consulate in Mumbai has sent ten letters referring to 16 incidents. In the letters, the Russian Federation draws the authorities’ attention to police action and inaction in cases relating to homicide, cheating, assualt, property matters and wrongful deportation of Russians,” said an official from the home department.
Advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma, refused to comment on the correspondence between the Russian consulate and the Goa government. “But I can confirm that far more attention on matters concerning Russian citizens need to be given by the Goa government,” informed Varma.
Added to this are apprehensions in the minds of few Russian tourists who have started to question Goa’s status as a safe tourist destination. “We are pre-judged as criminals and harassed in Goa. This is really unfortunate. Many of my friends, who were ill-treated by the locals with police support have complained to the Russian government,” said a Russian tourist, who didn’t wish to reveal his identity.
However, chief secretary J P Singh said, “Goa is a safe destination. The Russian Consul
General had brought up certain cases and we are looking into some of the allegations.”
It is reliably learnt that, worried about the increasing incidents against Russians in Goa, the Consul General, Alexander Mantytsky, had visited the state in March and met government officials. “During the meetings with the state government officials, he had discussed six cases,” revealed a home department official. IGP Kishan Kumar has stated that most matters are under investigation.
2008 May 08 Times Of India Goa
In Goa, the dead can’t rest in peace
In Goa, the dead can’t rest in peace
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: He died alone, but after death he found company.
On May 4, the Agacaim police brought an unidentified body of a middle aged man to the morgue at Goa Medical College, Bambolim, which was laid at the entrance there being no space in the morgue. By Tuesday morning, there were two more bodies to keep this one company and all lay decomposing till the next day.
Luckily for them, they got space in the morgue on Wednesday evening as six bodies were removed by the Goa police to perform the last rites.
Incharge of the forensic department Dr EJ Rodrigues doesn’t deny the problem. “There is a shortage of compartments but we do our best to accommodate,” said Dr Rodrigues.
And they do it either by keeping two bodies in a compartment or keeping them outside. Investigations reveal that about six compartments of the morgue had two bodies each. Besides, which daily three or four bodies lie in the open.
Even as the state prides itself in rapid modernization and exponential sophistication in the health sector, it denies the dead its sanctity. Until the last rites are performed, the dead just can’t rest with peace, dignity and respect, there being no place at the morgue.
Though the morgue at the GMC has a capacity of 35, currently just 28 compartments are in working condition. Of these, 21 bodies have occupied the space for quite sometime, leaving just seven compartments free for new cases. Everyday at least 10 new bodies arrive at the morgue.
Besides the bodies sent for autopsy by the Goa police and those who breathe their last in the GMC, other cadavers are also brought to the morgue. “Most of the private hospitals don’t have their own morgue. Besides, the cost of keeping the body in the morgue at GMC is only Rs 100 a day,” said an official from GMC.
“The problem would be solved once the old cold storage having a capacity of 31 compartments is repaired and reinstalled,” added Dr Rodrigues.
2008 May 09 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: He died alone, but after death he found company.
On May 4, the Agacaim police brought an unidentified body of a middle aged man to the morgue at Goa Medical College, Bambolim, which was laid at the entrance there being no space in the morgue. By Tuesday morning, there were two more bodies to keep this one company and all lay decomposing till the next day.
Luckily for them, they got space in the morgue on Wednesday evening as six bodies were removed by the Goa police to perform the last rites.
Incharge of the forensic department Dr EJ Rodrigues doesn’t deny the problem. “There is a shortage of compartments but we do our best to accommodate,” said Dr Rodrigues.
And they do it either by keeping two bodies in a compartment or keeping them outside. Investigations reveal that about six compartments of the morgue had two bodies each. Besides, which daily three or four bodies lie in the open.
Even as the state prides itself in rapid modernization and exponential sophistication in the health sector, it denies the dead its sanctity. Until the last rites are performed, the dead just can’t rest with peace, dignity and respect, there being no place at the morgue.
Though the morgue at the GMC has a capacity of 35, currently just 28 compartments are in working condition. Of these, 21 bodies have occupied the space for quite sometime, leaving just seven compartments free for new cases. Everyday at least 10 new bodies arrive at the morgue.
Besides the bodies sent for autopsy by the Goa police and those who breathe their last in the GMC, other cadavers are also brought to the morgue. “Most of the private hospitals don’t have their own morgue. Besides, the cost of keeping the body in the morgue at GMC is only Rs 100 a day,” said an official from GMC.
“The problem would be solved once the old cold storage having a capacity of 31 compartments is repaired and reinstalled,” added Dr Rodrigues.
2008 May 09 Times Of India Goa
Visitant turns morgue resident
Visitant turns morgue resident
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Remember Steven Speilberg’s The Terminal? And Viktor Navorski’s predicament when he realises that he’s been stranded in NYC’s JFK airport with a passport from nowhere as his homeland in Eastern Europe has erupted in a fiery coup while he was in the air en route to America?
Kirlov Sergiy’s fate is somewhat similar. Born in the erstwhile USSR, he identified himself as a Russian when he arrived in Goa sometime in the summer of 2006. The 60-year-old stayed at Arambol, Pernem, for a few months before he committed suicide on August 8, 2006.
That’s when the trouble began. With his passport missing, the police relied on Sergiy’s personal note-book and ‘C’ form (which is filled up while renting a room) to establish his nationality and subsequently approached the Russian authorities. But the Russians refused to have anything to do with the matter, saying Sergiy was not one of their citizens. Then there was speculation that he might be a Kazakhistan citizen.
Only recently, the police stumbled upon his passport and have realised that Sergiy was from Odeca in Ukraine. Although the deceased liked to call himself Russian, that country had stopped recognising his nationality after Ukraine attained independence in 1991.
“We have established his identity and are awaiting intimation from the home department for disposal of the body,” said North Goa SP, Bosco George.
Though his file was moved in December 2007 by the police, Sergyi’s body remains to be lodged at GMC’s crowded morgue. GMC’s forensic department head Silvano Sapeco recently wrote to the police requesting them to expedite the disposal of the unclaimed body.
But till the police do so, the visitor will remain to be a resident of GMC morgue.
2008 May 10 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Remember Steven Speilberg’s The Terminal? And Viktor Navorski’s predicament when he realises that he’s been stranded in NYC’s JFK airport with a passport from nowhere as his homeland in Eastern Europe has erupted in a fiery coup while he was in the air en route to America?
Kirlov Sergiy’s fate is somewhat similar. Born in the erstwhile USSR, he identified himself as a Russian when he arrived in Goa sometime in the summer of 2006. The 60-year-old stayed at Arambol, Pernem, for a few months before he committed suicide on August 8, 2006.
That’s when the trouble began. With his passport missing, the police relied on Sergiy’s personal note-book and ‘C’ form (which is filled up while renting a room) to establish his nationality and subsequently approached the Russian authorities. But the Russians refused to have anything to do with the matter, saying Sergiy was not one of their citizens. Then there was speculation that he might be a Kazakhistan citizen.
Only recently, the police stumbled upon his passport and have realised that Sergiy was from Odeca in Ukraine. Although the deceased liked to call himself Russian, that country had stopped recognising his nationality after Ukraine attained independence in 1991.
“We have established his identity and are awaiting intimation from the home department for disposal of the body,” said North Goa SP, Bosco George.
Though his file was moved in December 2007 by the police, Sergyi’s body remains to be lodged at GMC’s crowded morgue. GMC’s forensic department head Silvano Sapeco recently wrote to the police requesting them to expedite the disposal of the unclaimed body.
But till the police do so, the visitor will remain to be a resident of GMC morgue.
2008 May 10 Times Of India Goa
Public kudos for cops
Public kudos for cops
Good Work By Police Begets Parade
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: When the three men in khaki uniform, who had succesfully nabbed the accused involved in the brutal murder of a couple for money in Pilerne, were rewarded for their excellent job, they had a special reason to smile.
Instead of receiving a commendation certificate and cash reward, PSI BH Baswani, head constable Shankar Komarpant and police constable Satish Sawant were recognised for their effort in a ceremony in front of their peers. They were rewarded for their performace in public, during a ceremonial parade of the North Goa district police.
Held for the first time ever by the Goa police, the parade was aimed at inculcating discipline in the rank and reducing the communication gap between officers and men on the field.
“We have now started something we missed out over a period of time. Excellence is rewarded. Besides, shoddy work will be scrutinised,” said SP North Bosco George, who has come up with this novel idea.
“It has been noticed that there is an increasing feeling amongst jawans that their grievenaces are not being heard and they need to address it through other means. This led to a breakdown in the hierarchy wherein some individuals where able to get their choices of postings without approaching superiors,” said SP George.
The first parade was held this month at the police ground in Porvorim and the North Goa police has decided to make it a monthly affair. North Goa has about 850 policemen, of which more than 800 men are below the rank of police sub-inspector.
2008 May 10 Times Of India Goa
Good Work By Police Begets Parade
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: When the three men in khaki uniform, who had succesfully nabbed the accused involved in the brutal murder of a couple for money in Pilerne, were rewarded for their excellent job, they had a special reason to smile.
Instead of receiving a commendation certificate and cash reward, PSI BH Baswani, head constable Shankar Komarpant and police constable Satish Sawant were recognised for their effort in a ceremony in front of their peers. They were rewarded for their performace in public, during a ceremonial parade of the North Goa district police.
Held for the first time ever by the Goa police, the parade was aimed at inculcating discipline in the rank and reducing the communication gap between officers and men on the field.
“We have now started something we missed out over a period of time. Excellence is rewarded. Besides, shoddy work will be scrutinised,” said SP North Bosco George, who has come up with this novel idea.
“It has been noticed that there is an increasing feeling amongst jawans that their grievenaces are not being heard and they need to address it through other means. This led to a breakdown in the hierarchy wherein some individuals where able to get their choices of postings without approaching superiors,” said SP George.
The first parade was held this month at the police ground in Porvorim and the North Goa police has decided to make it a monthly affair. North Goa has about 850 policemen, of which more than 800 men are below the rank of police sub-inspector.
2008 May 10 Times Of India Goa
Kids land up at shrinks’ door
Kids land up at shrinks’ door
Switch In Medium Of Teaching At Std V Leading To Learning Disorders
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In one month, January 2008, 20 kids between the ages of 10 and 13 were referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, for assessment as they were ‘not up to the mark’ in class. An examination revealed that 12 of them had learning disorders.
“Many children from standard V to VIII are referred to us by schools with complaints of learning disorders. This problem is mostly seen amongst kids who shift from Konkani or Marathi as a medium of instruction till standard IV to English in standard V,” says IPHB’s clinical psychologist Dr Mita Majumdar.
Socio-economic problems may not be the number one reason why children dropout of school. “Learning disorders are a cause of depression and behaviour problems which leads to poor self-image and makes children dropout,” said Dr Majumdar. On an average about 40% of the students dropout by the time they reach Std X.
IPHB sees about 1,000 children every year at its child guidance clinic, a majority of them having learning disorder problems, adds Dr Majumdar. Learning disorder is a type of learning disability in which the child of average intelligence faces problems in reading, writing and calculation.
Director of education Celsa Pinto agreed that the switch from the vernacular to the English medium is still a problem at the standard V stage. “We are making concerted efforts to improve the situation,” she said.
Though in the absence of a study, it’s difficult to state the exact magnitude of the problem, both educationists and psychiatrists agree that the problem is grave.
The medium of instruction in 1,088 primary schools, both government and aided, is either Konkani or Marathi, with English as the second language. Just 131 primary schools have English as the first language, but from standard V, all schools have English as the medium of instruction and Hindi as the second language with Konkani or Marathi as the third language.
“In such a situation, by the time the children acquire a good grasp of the language, they have to change to a new language which leads to a lot of confusion,” said Prachi Khandeparkar, member of the Goa State Commission for Children.
Though learning difficulties in children are seen even at the pre-school age, it’s not taken seriously by parents or teachers at the primary level. “Once in standard V, children are detained. Also at this stage they move from the vernacular to the English medium that further adds to their learning difficulties,” said developmental and behavioural pediatrician Dr Nandita de Souza.
However, there is some good news. About six government aided high schools have started the resource room concept to deal with the problem.
Covered under the scheme for children with special needs and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a teacher attends to children with learning disorders or other disabilities.
2008 May 12 Times Of India Goa
Switch In Medium Of Teaching At Std V Leading To Learning Disorders
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In one month, January 2008, 20 kids between the ages of 10 and 13 were referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, for assessment as they were ‘not up to the mark’ in class. An examination revealed that 12 of them had learning disorders.
“Many children from standard V to VIII are referred to us by schools with complaints of learning disorders. This problem is mostly seen amongst kids who shift from Konkani or Marathi as a medium of instruction till standard IV to English in standard V,” says IPHB’s clinical psychologist Dr Mita Majumdar.
Socio-economic problems may not be the number one reason why children dropout of school. “Learning disorders are a cause of depression and behaviour problems which leads to poor self-image and makes children dropout,” said Dr Majumdar. On an average about 40% of the students dropout by the time they reach Std X.
IPHB sees about 1,000 children every year at its child guidance clinic, a majority of them having learning disorder problems, adds Dr Majumdar. Learning disorder is a type of learning disability in which the child of average intelligence faces problems in reading, writing and calculation.
Director of education Celsa Pinto agreed that the switch from the vernacular to the English medium is still a problem at the standard V stage. “We are making concerted efforts to improve the situation,” she said.
Though in the absence of a study, it’s difficult to state the exact magnitude of the problem, both educationists and psychiatrists agree that the problem is grave.
The medium of instruction in 1,088 primary schools, both government and aided, is either Konkani or Marathi, with English as the second language. Just 131 primary schools have English as the first language, but from standard V, all schools have English as the medium of instruction and Hindi as the second language with Konkani or Marathi as the third language.
“In such a situation, by the time the children acquire a good grasp of the language, they have to change to a new language which leads to a lot of confusion,” said Prachi Khandeparkar, member of the Goa State Commission for Children.
Though learning difficulties in children are seen even at the pre-school age, it’s not taken seriously by parents or teachers at the primary level. “Once in standard V, children are detained. Also at this stage they move from the vernacular to the English medium that further adds to their learning difficulties,” said developmental and behavioural pediatrician Dr Nandita de Souza.
However, there is some good news. About six government aided high schools have started the resource room concept to deal with the problem.
Covered under the scheme for children with special needs and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a teacher attends to children with learning disorders or other disabilities.
2008 May 12 Times Of India Goa
Kids land up at shrinks’ door
Kids land up at shrinks’ door
Switch In Medium Of Teaching At Std V Leading To Learning Disorders
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In one month, January 2008, 20 kids between the ages of 10 and 13 were referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, for assessment as they were ‘not up to the mark’ in class. An examination revealed that 12 of them had learning disorders.
“Many children from standard V to VIII are referred to us by schools with complaints of learning disorders. This problem is mostly seen amongst kids who shift from Konkani or Marathi as a medium of instruction till standard IV to English in standard V,” says IPHB’s clinical psychologist Dr Mita Majumdar.
Socio-economic problems may not be the number one reason why children dropout of school. “Learning disorders are a cause of depression and behaviour problems which leads to poor self-image and makes children dropout,” said Dr Majumdar. On an average about 40% of the students dropout by the time they reach Std X.
IPHB sees about 1,000 children every year at its child guidance clinic, a majority of them having learning disorder problems, adds Dr Majumdar. Learning disorder is a type of learning disability in which the child of average intelligence faces problems in reading, writing and calculation.
Director of education Celsa Pinto agreed that the switch from the vernacular to the English medium is still a problem at the standard V stage. “We are making concerted efforts to improve the situation,” she said.
Though in the absence of a study, it’s difficult to state the exact magnitude of the problem, both educationists and psychiatrists agree that the problem is grave.
The medium of instruction in 1,088 primary schools, both government and aided, is either Konkani or Marathi, with English as the second language. Just 131 primary schools have English as the first language, but from standard V, all schools have English as the medium of instruction and Hindi as the second language with Konkani or Marathi as the third language.
“In such a situation, by the time the children acquire a good grasp of the language, they have to change to a new language which leads to a lot of confusion,” said Prachi Khandeparkar, member of the Goa State Commission for Children.
Though learning difficulties in children are seen even at the pre-school age, it’s not taken seriously by parents or teachers at the primary level. “Once in standard V, children are detained. Also at this stage they move from the vernacular to the English medium that further adds to their learning difficulties,” said developmental and behavioural pediatrician Dr Nandita de Souza.
However, there is some good news. About six government aided high schools have started the resource room concept to deal with the problem.
Covered under the scheme for children with special needs and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a teacher attends to children with learning disorders or other disabilities.
2008 May 12 Times Of India Goa
Switch In Medium Of Teaching At Std V Leading To Learning Disorders
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In one month, January 2008, 20 kids between the ages of 10 and 13 were referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, for assessment as they were ‘not up to the mark’ in class. An examination revealed that 12 of them had learning disorders.
“Many children from standard V to VIII are referred to us by schools with complaints of learning disorders. This problem is mostly seen amongst kids who shift from Konkani or Marathi as a medium of instruction till standard IV to English in standard V,” says IPHB’s clinical psychologist Dr Mita Majumdar.
Socio-economic problems may not be the number one reason why children dropout of school. “Learning disorders are a cause of depression and behaviour problems which leads to poor self-image and makes children dropout,” said Dr Majumdar. On an average about 40% of the students dropout by the time they reach Std X.
IPHB sees about 1,000 children every year at its child guidance clinic, a majority of them having learning disorder problems, adds Dr Majumdar. Learning disorder is a type of learning disability in which the child of average intelligence faces problems in reading, writing and calculation.
Director of education Celsa Pinto agreed that the switch from the vernacular to the English medium is still a problem at the standard V stage. “We are making concerted efforts to improve the situation,” she said.
Though in the absence of a study, it’s difficult to state the exact magnitude of the problem, both educationists and psychiatrists agree that the problem is grave.
The medium of instruction in 1,088 primary schools, both government and aided, is either Konkani or Marathi, with English as the second language. Just 131 primary schools have English as the first language, but from standard V, all schools have English as the medium of instruction and Hindi as the second language with Konkani or Marathi as the third language.
“In such a situation, by the time the children acquire a good grasp of the language, they have to change to a new language which leads to a lot of confusion,” said Prachi Khandeparkar, member of the Goa State Commission for Children.
Though learning difficulties in children are seen even at the pre-school age, it’s not taken seriously by parents or teachers at the primary level. “Once in standard V, children are detained. Also at this stage they move from the vernacular to the English medium that further adds to their learning difficulties,” said developmental and behavioural pediatrician Dr Nandita de Souza.
However, there is some good news. About six government aided high schools have started the resource room concept to deal with the problem.
Covered under the scheme for children with special needs and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a teacher attends to children with learning disorders or other disabilities.
2008 May 12 Times Of India Goa
Man slays uncle as father watches
Man slays uncle as father watches
Preetu Nair | TNN
Porvorim: A property dispute between two brothers turned bloody resulting in the death of one. Porvorim police said that Manohar Sastikar (67) along with his son Shailesh, assaulted Manohar’s younger sibling Vasant Sastikar (65), causing him grievous injuries. Vasant was declared dead on arrival at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Vasant’s son, Sagun, in his complaint said that at about 7.40 p.m on Sunday the two accused assaulted him and his brother with a chopper, causing body injuries. “Both brothers were taken to the GMC hospital for treatment. In the meanwhile an argument started between Manohar and Vasant at home and Shailesh hit Vasant thrice on the head with a brass lamp, even as Manohar watched,” said investigating officer PI Devendra Gad.
PI Gad said that after the blow, Vasant collapsed and his daughter-in-law immediately rushed him to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Salvador do Mundo.
Acting on the complaint filed by Sagun, the Porvorim police arrested the father and son for causing injuries with sharp weapons and murder. The two have been remanded to four days police custody
2008 May 13 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Porvorim: A property dispute between two brothers turned bloody resulting in the death of one. Porvorim police said that Manohar Sastikar (67) along with his son Shailesh, assaulted Manohar’s younger sibling Vasant Sastikar (65), causing him grievous injuries. Vasant was declared dead on arrival at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Vasant’s son, Sagun, in his complaint said that at about 7.40 p.m on Sunday the two accused assaulted him and his brother with a chopper, causing body injuries. “Both brothers were taken to the GMC hospital for treatment. In the meanwhile an argument started between Manohar and Vasant at home and Shailesh hit Vasant thrice on the head with a brass lamp, even as Manohar watched,” said investigating officer PI Devendra Gad.
PI Gad said that after the blow, Vasant collapsed and his daughter-in-law immediately rushed him to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Salvador do Mundo.
Acting on the complaint filed by Sagun, the Porvorim police arrested the father and son for causing injuries with sharp weapons and murder. The two have been remanded to four days police custody
2008 May 13 Times Of India Goa
Accidents Claim One Goan Every 27 Hours 4,000 People Suffered A Mishap In 2007 Drunk Driving Is The Biggest Menace
Accidents Claim One Goan Every 27 Hours 4,000 People Suffered A Mishap In 2007 Drunk Driving Is The Biggest Menace
Preetu Nair | TNN
Every day last year, 11 people met with an accident on Goa’s roads. And one out of these 11 people returned home in a coffin. The figures, say traffic and transport experts, are chilling for a state that has only 6 lakh vehicles. Speed — often laced with alcohol — rules Goa’s roads and Goans pay with blood for this killing cocktail.
More than 4,000 people were involved in an accident in 2007, police statistics for the year reveal. An overwhelming majority — about two-thirds — of these 4,000 people were men in the 20-45 age group. And exactly 322 of these 4,000 people died after the accident, implying that — on an average — one Goan family lost a member every 27 hours.
But 322 deaths is only a part of the tragedy. Many of those who survive an accident can never go back to a normal life. “There are numerous complaints of accident victims undergoing a complete change of personality and suffering from quality-of-life-changing problems like lack of concentration, cognition difficulty, difficulty in walking and, sometimes, even going into a permanent vegetative state or suffering a paralytic attack. It is a loss to the family, the society and the state,” Goa Medical College dean neurosurgeon V N Jindal said.
Mishaps are often fatal or crippling primarily because most of them are head-on collisions or involve overturning of vehicles. The number of two-wheelers involved in head-on collisions in 2007 was 817; the figure was 770 for four-wheelers. “Head-on collisions very often mean head injuries suffered when vehicles move at a high velocity. That explains the high number of crippling injuries and deaths,” Jindal explained.
Many of these accidents occur, not surprisingly, on Goa’s national and state highways which give drivers an opportunity to step on the accelerator. National highways form about 6 per cent of Goa’s road network but they contribute heavily to the number of head-on collisions and vehicles turning turtle. State highways, too, despite contributing only 5 per cent to the road network, account for 11 per cent of all accidents in the state. And nearly 71 per cent of the accidents occur during the day, especially between 6 am and 7 pm, on Sundays and Mondays.
But even all these numbing figures may not tell the entire story, say experts on road safety and traffic laws. “Four out of 10 accidents every day go unreported. And the statistics may not include all the victims who die after being discharged from hospital,” Movement for Amity towards Roads in Goa (MARG) member Gurudas Juwarker said.
Experts also do not believe that the growing number of vehicles jostling for space has anything to do with the blood on the roads. Goa has 4,983 km of roads, Bangalore 4,500 km. But Goa has fewer than 6 lakh vehicles; Bangalore has 30 lakh.
What accounts for most accidents, experts believe, are the twin menaces of irresponsible driving and drunk driving. Traffic cops have 30 breath-analysers that can sniff out whether a person is driving under the influence of alcohol. Many violate the permissible blood-alcohol limit of 30 milligrams per decilitre of of blood (for light vehicles). “Everyone knows someone influential in Goa and it is very difficult to keep a check on drunk driving,” a senior traffic police official admitted on condition of anonymity. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that only 133 people were booked by traffic cops for mixing driving with drinking last year.
TOI CALLED UP TWO PRIVATE HOSPITALS, INFORMING THEM OF AN “ACCIDENT”, TO GAUGE THEIR RESPONSE CASE I: THE BAD
TOI: I’m calling from the highway near Peddem. There’s a man who has been injured in an accident. Can we bring him to the hospital? HOSPITAL: Yes, bring him here. TOI: He seems to be quite poor. I wanted to check if we could bring in. HOSPITAL: Hold on please.... (Seconds later) Talk to the doctor. HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): Hello. TOI: A man has been knocked down in a hit-andrun accident and looks like he may not have too much money. Should I bring him to your hospital? HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): I would advise you to take him to a government medical facility. Where are you? TOI: Am on the highway, somewhere near Hotel Preeti International. HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): How bad is he? TOI: He seems to be in quite a bad condition. Please tell us what to do! HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): There’s a government hospital nearby; the Asilo is just a kilometre away from where you are.
— Andrew Pereira | TNN
CASE II: THE GOOD
TOI: I’m calling from St Inez. There’s a man who has been injured in an accident. Can we bring him to the hospital? HOSPITAL: Yes, bring him to the casualty ward. TOI: He seems to be from a poor background. I wanted to check if we could bring him in. HOSPITAL: Hold on.... (Seconds later) Are you involved in the accident? TOI: No, he’s been lying on the road, it’s a hit-and-run case. HOSPITAL: Please hold on.... (Seconds later) Yes, bring him in.
BLOOD ON THE ROAD 2003: 235 2004: 306 2005: 270 2006: 303 2007: 322
2008 May 14 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Every day last year, 11 people met with an accident on Goa’s roads. And one out of these 11 people returned home in a coffin. The figures, say traffic and transport experts, are chilling for a state that has only 6 lakh vehicles. Speed — often laced with alcohol — rules Goa’s roads and Goans pay with blood for this killing cocktail.
More than 4,000 people were involved in an accident in 2007, police statistics for the year reveal. An overwhelming majority — about two-thirds — of these 4,000 people were men in the 20-45 age group. And exactly 322 of these 4,000 people died after the accident, implying that — on an average — one Goan family lost a member every 27 hours.
But 322 deaths is only a part of the tragedy. Many of those who survive an accident can never go back to a normal life. “There are numerous complaints of accident victims undergoing a complete change of personality and suffering from quality-of-life-changing problems like lack of concentration, cognition difficulty, difficulty in walking and, sometimes, even going into a permanent vegetative state or suffering a paralytic attack. It is a loss to the family, the society and the state,” Goa Medical College dean neurosurgeon V N Jindal said.
Mishaps are often fatal or crippling primarily because most of them are head-on collisions or involve overturning of vehicles. The number of two-wheelers involved in head-on collisions in 2007 was 817; the figure was 770 for four-wheelers. “Head-on collisions very often mean head injuries suffered when vehicles move at a high velocity. That explains the high number of crippling injuries and deaths,” Jindal explained.
Many of these accidents occur, not surprisingly, on Goa’s national and state highways which give drivers an opportunity to step on the accelerator. National highways form about 6 per cent of Goa’s road network but they contribute heavily to the number of head-on collisions and vehicles turning turtle. State highways, too, despite contributing only 5 per cent to the road network, account for 11 per cent of all accidents in the state. And nearly 71 per cent of the accidents occur during the day, especially between 6 am and 7 pm, on Sundays and Mondays.
But even all these numbing figures may not tell the entire story, say experts on road safety and traffic laws. “Four out of 10 accidents every day go unreported. And the statistics may not include all the victims who die after being discharged from hospital,” Movement for Amity towards Roads in Goa (MARG) member Gurudas Juwarker said.
Experts also do not believe that the growing number of vehicles jostling for space has anything to do with the blood on the roads. Goa has 4,983 km of roads, Bangalore 4,500 km. But Goa has fewer than 6 lakh vehicles; Bangalore has 30 lakh.
What accounts for most accidents, experts believe, are the twin menaces of irresponsible driving and drunk driving. Traffic cops have 30 breath-analysers that can sniff out whether a person is driving under the influence of alcohol. Many violate the permissible blood-alcohol limit of 30 milligrams per decilitre of of blood (for light vehicles). “Everyone knows someone influential in Goa and it is very difficult to keep a check on drunk driving,” a senior traffic police official admitted on condition of anonymity. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that only 133 people were booked by traffic cops for mixing driving with drinking last year.
TOI CALLED UP TWO PRIVATE HOSPITALS, INFORMING THEM OF AN “ACCIDENT”, TO GAUGE THEIR RESPONSE CASE I: THE BAD
TOI: I’m calling from the highway near Peddem. There’s a man who has been injured in an accident. Can we bring him to the hospital? HOSPITAL: Yes, bring him here. TOI: He seems to be quite poor. I wanted to check if we could bring in. HOSPITAL: Hold on please.... (Seconds later) Talk to the doctor. HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): Hello. TOI: A man has been knocked down in a hit-andrun accident and looks like he may not have too much money. Should I bring him to your hospital? HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): I would advise you to take him to a government medical facility. Where are you? TOI: Am on the highway, somewhere near Hotel Preeti International. HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): How bad is he? TOI: He seems to be in quite a bad condition. Please tell us what to do! HOSPITAL (DOCTOR): There’s a government hospital nearby; the Asilo is just a kilometre away from where you are.
— Andrew Pereira | TNN
CASE II: THE GOOD
TOI: I’m calling from St Inez. There’s a man who has been injured in an accident. Can we bring him to the hospital? HOSPITAL: Yes, bring him to the casualty ward. TOI: He seems to be from a poor background. I wanted to check if we could bring him in. HOSPITAL: Hold on.... (Seconds later) Are you involved in the accident? TOI: No, he’s been lying on the road, it’s a hit-and-run case. HOSPITAL: Please hold on.... (Seconds later) Yes, bring him in.
BLOOD ON THE ROAD 2003: 235 2004: 306 2005: 270 2006: 303 2007: 322
2008 May 14 Times Of India Goa
‘Russians not victimised’
‘Russians not victimised’
Russians Misbehave As Their Consulate Protects Them: Cops
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa police is not “victimizing” Russian tourists visiting the state, states a report prepared by the Goa police and submitted to the government. “There has not been harassment of any kind meted out to the Russians.
Infact they have exaggerated the facts inorder to mislead their own authorities and inorder to coverup their faults,” said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
Russian authorities had recently raised concern over the security situation in Goa and alleged that their citizens were getting an unfair deal from Goa policemen, hotel and guesthouse owners and car and two wheeler owners.
It was alleged that Goans indulge in numerous unlawful acts against their nationals and the state authorities need to take appropriate action to protect Russian tourists’ rights in the state.
Interestingly, police investigations have exposed the other side of the coin. “In some cases the Russian consulate is exaggerating the facts to project victimization of Russians at the hands of locals, even as the Russians behave aggressively with the locals fully knowing well that their consulate is there to protect them, even from their misdeeds”, the report reads.
It may be recalled that after the Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky, came down to Goa in March and discussed five cases of alleged police inaction with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, he had asked the police to prepare a status report.
South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “In all these cases prompt action has been taken by police and in one case, even offence has been registered.”
CASE 1: Andrey Zemchikin and four others alleged that they were assaulted by 30 Goans with bats and stones. They then missed their flights and lost over USD 3000 in air tickets cost. Police report: The alleged assault never took place nor threats were given to the Russians. The allegations are false and baseless. On the contrary, the Russians had stolen a bike from a Anjuna local and refused to pay the rental charges.
CASE 2: A Aksenov and N Ridi complained that they met with a road accident in Canacona, in which their rented car was damaged. A hotel owner from Vagator, who had rented them the car, refused to return their documents, money and personel belongings which were kept in his hotel, till they paid for the damage of the “insured” car. Police report: The police immediately acted and got the hotel owner to return their documents, money and personel belongings.
CASE 3: Evgeny Kuzmin, who was reportedly on a secret mission to gather complete information regarding the Russians involved in the drug trade in Goa was found dead in a hotel room under suspicious circumstances. Police report: There is no foul play. The viscera has been sent for examination to Hyderabad on January 4, 2008.
CASE 4: Ekaterina Vladimirova complained that a shack owner Agnelo Noronha from Uttorda had wrongfully restrained her and outraged her modesty. A case was registered at Verna police station on January 1, 2008. Police report: Agnelo was arrested and released on bail on January 1, 2008 itself. Investigation is under progress
2008 May 15 Times Of India Goa
Russians Misbehave As Their Consulate Protects Them: Cops
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa police is not “victimizing” Russian tourists visiting the state, states a report prepared by the Goa police and submitted to the government. “There has not been harassment of any kind meted out to the Russians.
Infact they have exaggerated the facts inorder to mislead their own authorities and inorder to coverup their faults,” said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
Russian authorities had recently raised concern over the security situation in Goa and alleged that their citizens were getting an unfair deal from Goa policemen, hotel and guesthouse owners and car and two wheeler owners.
It was alleged that Goans indulge in numerous unlawful acts against their nationals and the state authorities need to take appropriate action to protect Russian tourists’ rights in the state.
Interestingly, police investigations have exposed the other side of the coin. “In some cases the Russian consulate is exaggerating the facts to project victimization of Russians at the hands of locals, even as the Russians behave aggressively with the locals fully knowing well that their consulate is there to protect them, even from their misdeeds”, the report reads.
It may be recalled that after the Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai, Alexander Mantytsky, came down to Goa in March and discussed five cases of alleged police inaction with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, he had asked the police to prepare a status report.
South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “In all these cases prompt action has been taken by police and in one case, even offence has been registered.”
CASE 1: Andrey Zemchikin and four others alleged that they were assaulted by 30 Goans with bats and stones. They then missed their flights and lost over USD 3000 in air tickets cost. Police report: The alleged assault never took place nor threats were given to the Russians. The allegations are false and baseless. On the contrary, the Russians had stolen a bike from a Anjuna local and refused to pay the rental charges.
CASE 2: A Aksenov and N Ridi complained that they met with a road accident in Canacona, in which their rented car was damaged. A hotel owner from Vagator, who had rented them the car, refused to return their documents, money and personel belongings which were kept in his hotel, till they paid for the damage of the “insured” car. Police report: The police immediately acted and got the hotel owner to return their documents, money and personel belongings.
CASE 3: Evgeny Kuzmin, who was reportedly on a secret mission to gather complete information regarding the Russians involved in the drug trade in Goa was found dead in a hotel room under suspicious circumstances. Police report: There is no foul play. The viscera has been sent for examination to Hyderabad on January 4, 2008.
CASE 4: Ekaterina Vladimirova complained that a shack owner Agnelo Noronha from Uttorda had wrongfully restrained her and outraged her modesty. A case was registered at Verna police station on January 1, 2008. Police report: Agnelo was arrested and released on bail on January 1, 2008 itself. Investigation is under progress
2008 May 15 Times Of India Goa
Attacks on cops batter morale
AT THE RECEIVING END
Attacks on cops batter morale
‘The Culprits Are Immediately Bailed Out With Help From Politicians’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: After the Jaipur attacks, as the country prepares to fight terror, the Goa police is left fighting its own version of terror — increasing attack on men in khakhi by the general public.
This is a concern that has bothered the top police officials and has been discussed at length by the police during official meetings. “It batters the morale of the officers and we are really concerned,” said a top police official.
The attacks on the police have increased in the last few weeks. These include:
* May 4: After a fight broke out between two persons at the Church of Our Lady of the Poor, Tilamol, which was celebrating a feast, an agitated mob stoned a police van and injured many policemen, when they tried to intervene.
* May 16: Two traffic cops were assaulted as they issued chalans to two persons near Guirim. A similar incident had occured two weeks back.
* About a month back, the Bicholim DySP Sambha Sawant was ghearoed by people and even asked to apologize allegedly for trying to right an erring driver. “Whenever such cases are reported and the police try to take action or arrest the culprit, immediately they are bailed out with the help of politicians.
The police officers are also forced to bury the hatchet. This gives encouragement to the criminal elements,” said former Goa police SP Alex Rasquinha.
The Goa police also seems to have realised this. “We have now been asked to register cases against anyone who blocks the road or traffic.
Besides, we are also building a good reserve force consisting of the fresh batch that would be coming out of the Police Training school, Valpoi. They would be trained to handle anyone who breaks the law,” said a top official.
The official added, “This is the beginning and much more needs to be done.”
“There is tendency of people taking to the roads for petty reasons, rather than solving the issue by talking with the concerned authorties. This has led to frequent law and order situation,” South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudessai said.
Social scientists opine that the recent trend of police getting beaten up is an indication of the society that we live in. “The general public perception of the police is that the police is politicised.
This has led to a feeling amongst people that the law enforcing authority is not neutral and therefore people react by attacking the police. But sometimes, people also react instinctively,” said political sceintist Dr Aureliano Fernandes.
However, the policemen believe that they are easily susceptible to public resentment or anger because they come in direct contact with the people on a daily basis.
“The police represents the establishment and people feel that the only way sometimes to express their resentment and frustration against the establishment is by attacking it.
With the police being the easily available face on the street, they are sometimes attacked,” said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Attacks on cops batter morale
‘The Culprits Are Immediately Bailed Out With Help From Politicians’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: After the Jaipur attacks, as the country prepares to fight terror, the Goa police is left fighting its own version of terror — increasing attack on men in khakhi by the general public.
This is a concern that has bothered the top police officials and has been discussed at length by the police during official meetings. “It batters the morale of the officers and we are really concerned,” said a top police official.
The attacks on the police have increased in the last few weeks. These include:
* May 4: After a fight broke out between two persons at the Church of Our Lady of the Poor, Tilamol, which was celebrating a feast, an agitated mob stoned a police van and injured many policemen, when they tried to intervene.
* May 16: Two traffic cops were assaulted as they issued chalans to two persons near Guirim. A similar incident had occured two weeks back.
* About a month back, the Bicholim DySP Sambha Sawant was ghearoed by people and even asked to apologize allegedly for trying to right an erring driver. “Whenever such cases are reported and the police try to take action or arrest the culprit, immediately they are bailed out with the help of politicians.
The police officers are also forced to bury the hatchet. This gives encouragement to the criminal elements,” said former Goa police SP Alex Rasquinha.
The Goa police also seems to have realised this. “We have now been asked to register cases against anyone who blocks the road or traffic.
Besides, we are also building a good reserve force consisting of the fresh batch that would be coming out of the Police Training school, Valpoi. They would be trained to handle anyone who breaks the law,” said a top official.
The official added, “This is the beginning and much more needs to be done.”
“There is tendency of people taking to the roads for petty reasons, rather than solving the issue by talking with the concerned authorties. This has led to frequent law and order situation,” South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudessai said.
Social scientists opine that the recent trend of police getting beaten up is an indication of the society that we live in. “The general public perception of the police is that the police is politicised.
This has led to a feeling amongst people that the law enforcing authority is not neutral and therefore people react by attacking the police. But sometimes, people also react instinctively,” said political sceintist Dr Aureliano Fernandes.
However, the policemen believe that they are easily susceptible to public resentment or anger because they come in direct contact with the people on a daily basis.
“The police represents the establishment and people feel that the only way sometimes to express their resentment and frustration against the establishment is by attacking it.
With the police being the easily available face on the street, they are sometimes attacked,” said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Chimbel pigmy fund collector turns swindler
Chimbel pigmy fund collector turns swindler
Unsuspecting People Lose Lakhs Of Hard-Earned Money
Preetu Nair | TNN
Chimbel: Fatima Rehmanava lived with a hole in her heart for 12 years, but the hole in her purse has killed her spirits and left her virtually helpless.
Fatima never got treated because she didn’t have enough money for an operation. When her condition deteriorated, the family decided, in October 2007, to save money which could be used in case of an emergency. “I had invested about Rs 33,000, with the hope of using it on a rainy day. But my money is lost,” said Fatima.
Her sister, Saira Banu Badegar had also invested the money she got by way of an insurance claim after her 18-year-old son died in an accident, in the hope that this money would help her distraught family.
The sisters are amongst the hundreds who have been allegedly duped by one Menakshi Chudu Shirodkar, who pretended to be a pigmy fund collector for the Chimbel branch of the Mardol based VPK Urban Co-op Credit Society. The matter gained momentum when the VPK Urban Co-op Credit Society manager, Vaman Gaude lodged a complaint with the police on Tuesday against the lady, who allegedly pretended to be a pigmy collector for the bank and vanished with several people’s savings.
“The bank manager in his complaint said that Shirodkar had stolen their recurring deposit passbooks and VPK super deposit scheme passbooks, worth Rs 22 lakh and over between December 1, 2007 and April 20, 2008. “Using this, she cheated the people,” said investigating officer Old Goa PI, Gurudas Gaude. The police have registered an case of theft and cheating against Shirodkar.
However, the lady has gone underground upon realising that the Old Goa police has been on her trail. “She has gone underground and is evading arrest,” added PI Gaude.
Investigations reveal that the modus operandi of the woman was simple. She befriended people, promised them good interest rates and also sold them the idea of a bank coming home rather than they visiting a bank for transaction purposes. The poor had no reason to doubt her as they were even given a passbook in which daily entries were made.
“She gave attractive schemes. We were told that if one put Rs 10,000 in a fixed deposit and renewed it every three months, then you’d get Rs 3000 as a bonus. In other words, if one invested Rs 10,000 on January 1, 2008 and continued to renew it every 3 months, then by December 2008, one would have Rs 22,000. So your amount would more than double within a year,” explained Richard, who has been duped of more than Rs 2 lakh.
Ask Rehana Momim. A mother of 4 daughters, she was investing Rs 20 everyday in the pigmy fund to ensure a decent wedding for her children but was cheated as well.
“We were trying to save money for our children when she (Shirodkar) offered to come daily to collect money, we jumped at the idea,” said Bibijan Lalmiya, who has been cheated of nearly Rs 1,12,204.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Unsuspecting People Lose Lakhs Of Hard-Earned Money
Preetu Nair | TNN
Chimbel: Fatima Rehmanava lived with a hole in her heart for 12 years, but the hole in her purse has killed her spirits and left her virtually helpless.
Fatima never got treated because she didn’t have enough money for an operation. When her condition deteriorated, the family decided, in October 2007, to save money which could be used in case of an emergency. “I had invested about Rs 33,000, with the hope of using it on a rainy day. But my money is lost,” said Fatima.
Her sister, Saira Banu Badegar had also invested the money she got by way of an insurance claim after her 18-year-old son died in an accident, in the hope that this money would help her distraught family.
The sisters are amongst the hundreds who have been allegedly duped by one Menakshi Chudu Shirodkar, who pretended to be a pigmy fund collector for the Chimbel branch of the Mardol based VPK Urban Co-op Credit Society. The matter gained momentum when the VPK Urban Co-op Credit Society manager, Vaman Gaude lodged a complaint with the police on Tuesday against the lady, who allegedly pretended to be a pigmy collector for the bank and vanished with several people’s savings.
“The bank manager in his complaint said that Shirodkar had stolen their recurring deposit passbooks and VPK super deposit scheme passbooks, worth Rs 22 lakh and over between December 1, 2007 and April 20, 2008. “Using this, she cheated the people,” said investigating officer Old Goa PI, Gurudas Gaude. The police have registered an case of theft and cheating against Shirodkar.
However, the lady has gone underground upon realising that the Old Goa police has been on her trail. “She has gone underground and is evading arrest,” added PI Gaude.
Investigations reveal that the modus operandi of the woman was simple. She befriended people, promised them good interest rates and also sold them the idea of a bank coming home rather than they visiting a bank for transaction purposes. The poor had no reason to doubt her as they were even given a passbook in which daily entries were made.
“She gave attractive schemes. We were told that if one put Rs 10,000 in a fixed deposit and renewed it every three months, then you’d get Rs 3000 as a bonus. In other words, if one invested Rs 10,000 on January 1, 2008 and continued to renew it every 3 months, then by December 2008, one would have Rs 22,000. So your amount would more than double within a year,” explained Richard, who has been duped of more than Rs 2 lakh.
Ask Rehana Momim. A mother of 4 daughters, she was investing Rs 20 everyday in the pigmy fund to ensure a decent wedding for her children but was cheated as well.
“We were trying to save money for our children when she (Shirodkar) offered to come daily to collect money, we jumped at the idea,” said Bibijan Lalmiya, who has been cheated of nearly Rs 1,12,204.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Job Agents Taking Youth For A Ride
Job Agents Taking Youth For A Ride
Unscrupulous Middlemen Shatter Dreams Of Working Abroad
Preetu Nair
Panaji: Salvador and William Rodrigues were on could nine when they entered the office of a recruiting agent in 2005. They did not mind parting with a large sum, for they were on the threshold of having their life’s dream realized — a job in the Gulf. Or, so they believed.
It soon turned into a story of unending woe. Three years later, they neither have the promised jobs nor a receipt for the money paid, nor documents of any kind to prove their plight.
It’s a story many Goan youth have to tell, the story of the great foreign dream gone sour as starry-eyed youth are cheated by unscrupulous fly-bynight recruiting agents who promise them the earth and then vanish into thin air, leaving their dreams shattered.
In the last three years, 17 cases of cheating have been lodged with the police. In Goa, there are about 20 registered recruiting agents, but there are many ‘illegal’ fly-by-night recruiting agents. They offer blue coloured jobs to the youth in the Gulf or on ships.
“The government should come down heavily on unauthorized recruiting agents, who advertise and fool the youth. The youth fall prey to them becasue they promise high salaries, along with free recruitment offers,” said Iqbal Mohideen, recruiting agent and member of the Indian Personnel Export Promotion Council, Mumbai.
Mohideen added, “There are more than 20 fake recruiting agents in the state, who advertize with phone numbers and give no proper address.” TOI checked up on a few recruiting agents in Panaji, against whom complaints have been filed and learnt that not only have most of them disappeared into thin air, but their offices and sign boards have done the vanishing trick too.
The state government has now woken up to the problem. “A number of travel agents double up as recruiting agents. The government is considering amending the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1820 to impose a bar on travel agents from doubling up as recruiting agents unless they are registered with the Protector General of Emigrants under the Emigration Act, 1983,” said Director of NRI Affairs UD Kamat.
Police say the favourite destination of Goan youth are the Gulf countries and the most popular destination is Kuwait.
Even Salvador and William had lodged a police complaint in 2007 against one Santano Clement from Guirim, Bardez. Santano in turn blamed one Sebastian Baretto, who had his office in Anjuna and is now absconding.
Alarmed by this emerging trend in Goa, the protector general of emigrants, under the Union ministry of overseas Indian affairs, has written to the director of NRI affairs, Goa, drawing attention to the rising number of unregistered recruiting agents, who dupe innocent persons by promising to provide jobs.
Even the state-level Committee for NRIs of Goan Origin met on Wednesday and expressed concern at the slow progress of cases filed against errant recruiting agents. “About 20 such cases have been registered in various police stations in Goa and are pending for several years. The protector general of emigrants had urged the Goa police last year to take necessary action under the Emigration Act. But, the progress is slow,” said commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro.
Case Studies
Complaint: On November 23, 2001 Lourenco Kenni, an agent for Zarina Travel Services, Miramar, promised Francisco Sequeira of Divar a job in Kuwait and asked for Rs 50,000. He never delivered, A police complaint for cheating has been registered. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: On March 24, 2005, Alian Fernandes from Mapusa complained to the police that in January 2005 an agent dishonestly induced him and others to deliver cash of Rs 1,25,000 and fraudently forged visa document as genuine on pretext of providing employment to him and others at Dubai. But he failed to do so. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: Olga Pinto complained that she had attended the coaching classes with Y-Axis Overseas Careers, Panaji after they had advertised that they are looking for nurses for USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand without having license from Protector General of Emigrants. A complaint was lodged on May 16, 2005 and police investigations revealed that though they had applied for license and the matter is under consideration, they have not yet been granted the registration certificate. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: Socorro D’Souza from Cansaulim complained that on June 2005, M/s Gemine Travel Shop, Miramar, without license from recruitment agency collected money on the pretext of sending him abroad for a job and didn’t send him and cheated them of the money to tune of Rs 7,19,500. Status: Case is under investigation
Guidelines for prospective emigrant workers
Ask to see the recruiting agent’s registration certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants, Govt. of India. Do not deal with him unless he is registered and the registration is valid. In case of doubt, check with any of the offices of the Protectors of Emigrants (POEs) or the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE).
DO NOT deal with sub-agents as they are not permitted under the Emigration Act, 1983 and Rules.
Ask to see the demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer. Also carefully go through the employment contract detailing the salary and other service conditions.
Do not pay the Agent anything other than the service charge of Rs 2,000 for unskilled workers, Rs 3,000 for semi-skilled, Rs 5,000 for skilled workers and Rs 10,000 for other than the above.
Preferably pay by demand draft or cheque and obtain a receipt. Complaints of overcharging or cheating can be lodged with the concerned POE or with the PGE.
The Law On Recruiting Agents
Section 10 of the Emigration Act 1983, states that no recruiting agent shall commence or carry on the business of recruitment except under and in accordance with a certificate issued in that behalf by the Protector General of Emigrants, the registering authority. Violation of section 10, is an offence and is punishable with imprisonment of a term of two years and with a fine, which may extend to Rs 2000.
“Entry into the market in the Gulf is tightly controlled and heavily legislated. There is an information gap between the employer in Gulf and the prospective employee in Goa, particularly in the unorgansied sector and therefore both heavily depend on the agent. The less educated labourers are ready to invest the family’s savings and borrowings in order to get a job abroad.”
Alito Sequeira | SOCIOLOGIST, GOA UNIVERSITY
“Although people are aware that they shouldn’t approach people who don’t have a license, they do. When they get duped, they come to us. By then its too late.”
Bosco George | NORTH GOA SP
“I prefer working abroad because there exists better prospects and endless opportunities in the Gulf. Even the salaries provided abroad are much higher as compared to those in India.”
Reuben Quadros | YOUTH ASPIRING TO GO ABROAD
2008 May 18 Times Of India Goa
Unscrupulous Middlemen Shatter Dreams Of Working Abroad
Preetu Nair
Panaji: Salvador and William Rodrigues were on could nine when they entered the office of a recruiting agent in 2005. They did not mind parting with a large sum, for they were on the threshold of having their life’s dream realized — a job in the Gulf. Or, so they believed.
It soon turned into a story of unending woe. Three years later, they neither have the promised jobs nor a receipt for the money paid, nor documents of any kind to prove their plight.
It’s a story many Goan youth have to tell, the story of the great foreign dream gone sour as starry-eyed youth are cheated by unscrupulous fly-bynight recruiting agents who promise them the earth and then vanish into thin air, leaving their dreams shattered.
In the last three years, 17 cases of cheating have been lodged with the police. In Goa, there are about 20 registered recruiting agents, but there are many ‘illegal’ fly-by-night recruiting agents. They offer blue coloured jobs to the youth in the Gulf or on ships.
“The government should come down heavily on unauthorized recruiting agents, who advertise and fool the youth. The youth fall prey to them becasue they promise high salaries, along with free recruitment offers,” said Iqbal Mohideen, recruiting agent and member of the Indian Personnel Export Promotion Council, Mumbai.
Mohideen added, “There are more than 20 fake recruiting agents in the state, who advertize with phone numbers and give no proper address.” TOI checked up on a few recruiting agents in Panaji, against whom complaints have been filed and learnt that not only have most of them disappeared into thin air, but their offices and sign boards have done the vanishing trick too.
The state government has now woken up to the problem. “A number of travel agents double up as recruiting agents. The government is considering amending the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1820 to impose a bar on travel agents from doubling up as recruiting agents unless they are registered with the Protector General of Emigrants under the Emigration Act, 1983,” said Director of NRI Affairs UD Kamat.
Police say the favourite destination of Goan youth are the Gulf countries and the most popular destination is Kuwait.
Even Salvador and William had lodged a police complaint in 2007 against one Santano Clement from Guirim, Bardez. Santano in turn blamed one Sebastian Baretto, who had his office in Anjuna and is now absconding.
Alarmed by this emerging trend in Goa, the protector general of emigrants, under the Union ministry of overseas Indian affairs, has written to the director of NRI affairs, Goa, drawing attention to the rising number of unregistered recruiting agents, who dupe innocent persons by promising to provide jobs.
Even the state-level Committee for NRIs of Goan Origin met on Wednesday and expressed concern at the slow progress of cases filed against errant recruiting agents. “About 20 such cases have been registered in various police stations in Goa and are pending for several years. The protector general of emigrants had urged the Goa police last year to take necessary action under the Emigration Act. But, the progress is slow,” said commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro.
Case Studies
Complaint: On November 23, 2001 Lourenco Kenni, an agent for Zarina Travel Services, Miramar, promised Francisco Sequeira of Divar a job in Kuwait and asked for Rs 50,000. He never delivered, A police complaint for cheating has been registered. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: On March 24, 2005, Alian Fernandes from Mapusa complained to the police that in January 2005 an agent dishonestly induced him and others to deliver cash of Rs 1,25,000 and fraudently forged visa document as genuine on pretext of providing employment to him and others at Dubai. But he failed to do so. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: Olga Pinto complained that she had attended the coaching classes with Y-Axis Overseas Careers, Panaji after they had advertised that they are looking for nurses for USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand without having license from Protector General of Emigrants. A complaint was lodged on May 16, 2005 and police investigations revealed that though they had applied for license and the matter is under consideration, they have not yet been granted the registration certificate. Status: Case under investigation
Complaint: Socorro D’Souza from Cansaulim complained that on June 2005, M/s Gemine Travel Shop, Miramar, without license from recruitment agency collected money on the pretext of sending him abroad for a job and didn’t send him and cheated them of the money to tune of Rs 7,19,500. Status: Case is under investigation
Guidelines for prospective emigrant workers
Ask to see the recruiting agent’s registration certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants, Govt. of India. Do not deal with him unless he is registered and the registration is valid. In case of doubt, check with any of the offices of the Protectors of Emigrants (POEs) or the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE).
DO NOT deal with sub-agents as they are not permitted under the Emigration Act, 1983 and Rules.
Ask to see the demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer. Also carefully go through the employment contract detailing the salary and other service conditions.
Do not pay the Agent anything other than the service charge of Rs 2,000 for unskilled workers, Rs 3,000 for semi-skilled, Rs 5,000 for skilled workers and Rs 10,000 for other than the above.
Preferably pay by demand draft or cheque and obtain a receipt. Complaints of overcharging or cheating can be lodged with the concerned POE or with the PGE.
The Law On Recruiting Agents
Section 10 of the Emigration Act 1983, states that no recruiting agent shall commence or carry on the business of recruitment except under and in accordance with a certificate issued in that behalf by the Protector General of Emigrants, the registering authority. Violation of section 10, is an offence and is punishable with imprisonment of a term of two years and with a fine, which may extend to Rs 2000.
“Entry into the market in the Gulf is tightly controlled and heavily legislated. There is an information gap between the employer in Gulf and the prospective employee in Goa, particularly in the unorgansied sector and therefore both heavily depend on the agent. The less educated labourers are ready to invest the family’s savings and borrowings in order to get a job abroad.”
Alito Sequeira | SOCIOLOGIST, GOA UNIVERSITY
“Although people are aware that they shouldn’t approach people who don’t have a license, they do. When they get duped, they come to us. By then its too late.”
Bosco George | NORTH GOA SP
“I prefer working abroad because there exists better prospects and endless opportunities in the Gulf. Even the salaries provided abroad are much higher as compared to those in India.”
Reuben Quadros | YOUTH ASPIRING TO GO ABROAD
2008 May 18 Times Of India Goa
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