A ticking time BOMB?
Goa’s Powers That Be Say We Are Ready For A Terror Attack; Facts Indicate Otherwise
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Goa’s image as a safe destination was shattered in 2000 when a bomb went off near St. Andrew’s Church in Vasco. The blast was allegedly planned by a Bangalore-based group: Deendare-Anjuman, and was part of a series of blasts that had occured in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bijapur and Maharashtra over a period of 2 to 3 days. Luckily, no one was killed or injured here.
But overnight, the state’s image changed from being a “sleeper cell”— a conduit for arms and a resting place for separatists —to being a very real target, especially with the hordes of British, Israeli and American tourists that flock to Goa during season.
Senior police sources reveal that arms are traded from Kashmir to Goa by Pakistan-based terrorist groups using ‘mules’ (persons, not necessarily terrorists, acting as carriers).
“The weapons are wrapped in carpets along with counterfeit notes and heroin. While the money and drugs are spread through Goa, especially the northern beach stretch, the arms are traded to Southern Indian states and even smuggled to Sri Lanka,” said a top police official. The main threat, he added, is from any organisation that is influenced by the Al-Quaeda.
The arrest of suspected terrorist Tariq Battlo from Margao in late 2006, is a fresh reminder that terror has really come home. Battlo is a member of Pakistanbased Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen. Terror alerts were sounded in 2005 when the threat of Bali-style bombings in Goa led then tourism minister, Wilfred de Souza, to announce an “international intelligence agency” warning of a terrorist strike on foreign tourists here. The threat resurfaced in October 2006 following similar inputs that bars and discotheques frequented by US and British tourists were being targeted on the lines of the Bali bombings. The Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005 killed 221 people. “Any terror attack on Goa would trigger off a panic reaction and the mass exodus could affect Goa’s economy and irreparably damage Goa’s image as a safe tourist destination,” said a top police official.
BOMB SQUADS
1 Comprises 6-8 trained personnel TARGETS
BEACHES: Palolem, Colva, Calangute-Baga MARKETS: Specially season-time, tourist-packed bazaars Airport, Railway stations, Harbour, Oil depots in Vasco
LATEST THREAT
February 2008 - Suspected terrorist Riyazuddin Nasir alias Mohammed Ghouse arrested in Karnataka, said terror activities were planned along Goa’s coastline KHAKI ALERT
General sensitization of all police stations and people, especially in the coastal areas Patrolling in coastal areas upped by almost 50% during tourist season. Staff of India Reserve Battalion used along with 28 police control room vehicles, 24 station vehicles and motorcycles Tenant verification: under section 144 of CrPC, the Collector has made it mandatory to provide for identity of tenants. However, this order has expired Verfication of men working on trawlers and with fishermen Cyber café users asked to give records of customers Those who give vehicles on hire or sell it second hand asked to give details Verifying terror Preetu Nair & Govind Kamat Maad | TNN
Panaji/Margao: Though verifications serve as an important vigilant aspect of police, the fact remains that the details are rarely supplied and often not up to mark. Take the case of terror suspect, Tariq Battlo.
The member of Pakistan-based Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen lived for almost 6 months at a rented place in Margao without inviting any suspicion from the locals before being nabbed in late 2006.
Police records reveal that in 2007, in North Goa there were about 7,500 tenant verifications, 4,494 servant verfications and about 2,247 strangers’ verifications done by beat police. Compare this with the verifications done by the short-staffed force in the south. Only 2,782 tenant verifications, 312 servant verifications and 3419 strangers’ verification were done.
Another problem is that of guests at hotels, lodges and guest houses. “There is no law by which the police can force the guest houses or lodges to take the complete details of their visitors,” said South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudessai. “There maybe a few instances where people don’t give details of their tenants to the police. In such cases, we write to the Collector and they (landlords) are fined,” added North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George.
2008 May 15 Times Of India Goa
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Cops get tough with noise pollution norms
Cops get tough with noise pollution norms
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With less than two weeks to the end of the season, the North Goa police have decided to come down heavily on not just those who play loud music, but also those who organise it. More than 25 hoteliers and owners of leading entertainment venues were called for a meeting with on Thursday and told in no uncertain terms to shut down music by 10 p.m.
“Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 are here to stay and the tourism industry needs to accept it. No amendment can be made and party organisers have to stop amplified music by 10 p.m,” said North Goa superintendent of police Bosco George.
The police won’t spare even couples celebrating their wedding nor masters of ceremony. “People wouldn’t only be fined for failing to stop amplified music but cases would be registered against the organisers, the persons who let out the premises party, people playing music and the masters of ceremony,” he said.
“Issuing a blanket ban on playing loud music after 10 p.m is not the solution. If the noise is within permissible limits, then it should be allowed,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza. Allan Pinto a popular compere said, “If it is the law, we will be forced to follow it. But more often than not, people bring pressure from politicians and this makes our job as the master of ceremony more difficult.” The tourism industry is also working out new means to continue playing music without noise pollution. Loud music out by 10 pm
Panaji: The North Goa police on Thursday decided to come down heavily on those playing loud music and those who organise it. The police have asked the hoteliers and event organisers to shut down music by 10 p.m.
Though under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and the Supreme Court directives no one can play loud music after 10 p.m, this law has been continuously violated, thanks to a state machinery that is sympathetic towards tourism and has turned a deaf ear to the protests.
The law is clear that every individual is entitled to eight hours of no noise pollution.The Goa police decision to tighten its act has dampened spirits as outdoor events in the state are invariably accompanied by loud music .There is no consensus though on permissible limits. “A mechanism needs to be in place to measure sound decibels. We are against disturbance but a blanket ban is not the solution,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza.
2008 May 16 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With less than two weeks to the end of the season, the North Goa police have decided to come down heavily on not just those who play loud music, but also those who organise it. More than 25 hoteliers and owners of leading entertainment venues were called for a meeting with on Thursday and told in no uncertain terms to shut down music by 10 p.m.
“Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 are here to stay and the tourism industry needs to accept it. No amendment can be made and party organisers have to stop amplified music by 10 p.m,” said North Goa superintendent of police Bosco George.
The police won’t spare even couples celebrating their wedding nor masters of ceremony. “People wouldn’t only be fined for failing to stop amplified music but cases would be registered against the organisers, the persons who let out the premises party, people playing music and the masters of ceremony,” he said.
“Issuing a blanket ban on playing loud music after 10 p.m is not the solution. If the noise is within permissible limits, then it should be allowed,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza. Allan Pinto a popular compere said, “If it is the law, we will be forced to follow it. But more often than not, people bring pressure from politicians and this makes our job as the master of ceremony more difficult.” The tourism industry is also working out new means to continue playing music without noise pollution. Loud music out by 10 pm
Panaji: The North Goa police on Thursday decided to come down heavily on those playing loud music and those who organise it. The police have asked the hoteliers and event organisers to shut down music by 10 p.m.
Though under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and the Supreme Court directives no one can play loud music after 10 p.m, this law has been continuously violated, thanks to a state machinery that is sympathetic towards tourism and has turned a deaf ear to the protests.
The law is clear that every individual is entitled to eight hours of no noise pollution.The Goa police decision to tighten its act has dampened spirits as outdoor events in the state are invariably accompanied by loud music .There is no consensus though on permissible limits. “A mechanism needs to be in place to measure sound decibels. We are against disturbance but a blanket ban is not the solution,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza.
2008 May 16 Times Of India Goa
Double blow for cancer patients
Double blow for cancer patients
Goa Govt Defaults On Mediclaim, Mumbai Hospital Shuns Victims
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: On May 9, when Alan (61) called Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, to fix an appointment with a doctor for his 50-year-old wife who’s suffering from lung cancer, they refused to entertain him saying that they have stopped treating mediclaim patients referred from Goa.
Alan rushed to the directorate of health services, which told him that they have cleared the bills and also gave him a fresh letter stating that his wife should be given the necessary treatment .
Armed with this letter, Alan flew to Mumbai on Friday. On reaching the central government hospital, the authorities refused to treat her. “They told me that the Goa government has so far not paid them about Rs 63 lakh and they wouldn’t be admitting any patient from Goa till the government clears the pending bills,” said Alan.
Meanwhile another patient who had gone to Mumbai around the first week of May was sent back for the same reason. “They told me that they would treat me if I was ready to pay the bills. I tried to reason but in vain,” said Maria D’Souza. Finally, she came back to Goa without treatment.
Cancer is a major worry in Goa at least one person in the state is detected with the disease every day. Every year about 25% of these patients are referred to Tata Memorial. But they are being shown the door at the hospital.
Health authorities accept that there has been a lapse in clearing the bills because of a ‘procedural delay’. “Generally if there is any problem, the patients call us. So far I have not got any such complaints,” said director of health services Dr Rajnanda Dessai.
“If such a thing is happening, it is nothing but red tapism. Cancer patients can’t be denied treatment and if they are being denied treatment by Tata Memorial because we have not cleared the mediclaim bills, that’s not right. I will personally look into the matter and if anyone is found guilty, I will suspend the official responsible for the mess,” said health minister Vishwajit Rane. The government gives a mediclaim of Rs 1.5 lakh to cancer patients.
Tata Memorial director Dr K Dinshaw said, “I am not aware of this and I have no comments to offer.” When told that some officials in Goa admit this is happening, she said, “There’s nothing official about it.”
Patients with leukaemia, in need of bone marrow transplant, requiring high chemotherapy or radiotherapy or those needing a second opinion are referred to Tata Memorial. Goan cancer patients in dilemma at Mumbai
Panaji: Cancer patients from Goa are being denied treatment at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital as the state government has failed to clear mediclaim dues.
“I didn’t expect this sort of a treatment from the people friendly Goa government.
I am retired and that’s why I am dependent on the government mediclaim, but government authorities shouldn’t play with our lives,” said the husband of a cancer patient who had been denied treatment.
People working towards the treatment of cancer are not impressed with these developments. “This is a total neglect by the government.
Cancer patients can’t wait, any delay is dangerous and they need to be treated immediately.
You can’t play with the life of the people,” said National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication general secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar.
Interestingly, like Tata Memorial, many private hospitals in Goa are also yet to receive mediclaim money, but they have not denied treatment to patients.
Sini Kutty from NUSI hospital said, “It’s been more than two years and nearly Rs 75 to Rs 85 lakh are pending.
We were planning to take a policy decision not to treat mediclaim patients because we are now in a deep financial mess because of this delay. But we decided against it as the patients will suffer.”
Apollo Victor CEO Bismarc Martins said that approximately Rs 1 crore is pending. “If we stop, patients will die, but the government won’t suffer,” said Martins.
“In the last six months we started mediclaim scheme for kidney dialysis and almost Rs 15 lakh mediclaim money is pending,” added Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan hospital. The most common forms of cancer detected in Goa are of the head and neck, while incidents of breast cancer are high amongst women.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Goa Govt Defaults On Mediclaim, Mumbai Hospital Shuns Victims
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: On May 9, when Alan (61) called Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, to fix an appointment with a doctor for his 50-year-old wife who’s suffering from lung cancer, they refused to entertain him saying that they have stopped treating mediclaim patients referred from Goa.
Alan rushed to the directorate of health services, which told him that they have cleared the bills and also gave him a fresh letter stating that his wife should be given the necessary treatment .
Armed with this letter, Alan flew to Mumbai on Friday. On reaching the central government hospital, the authorities refused to treat her. “They told me that the Goa government has so far not paid them about Rs 63 lakh and they wouldn’t be admitting any patient from Goa till the government clears the pending bills,” said Alan.
Meanwhile another patient who had gone to Mumbai around the first week of May was sent back for the same reason. “They told me that they would treat me if I was ready to pay the bills. I tried to reason but in vain,” said Maria D’Souza. Finally, she came back to Goa without treatment.
Cancer is a major worry in Goa at least one person in the state is detected with the disease every day. Every year about 25% of these patients are referred to Tata Memorial. But they are being shown the door at the hospital.
Health authorities accept that there has been a lapse in clearing the bills because of a ‘procedural delay’. “Generally if there is any problem, the patients call us. So far I have not got any such complaints,” said director of health services Dr Rajnanda Dessai.
“If such a thing is happening, it is nothing but red tapism. Cancer patients can’t be denied treatment and if they are being denied treatment by Tata Memorial because we have not cleared the mediclaim bills, that’s not right. I will personally look into the matter and if anyone is found guilty, I will suspend the official responsible for the mess,” said health minister Vishwajit Rane. The government gives a mediclaim of Rs 1.5 lakh to cancer patients.
Tata Memorial director Dr K Dinshaw said, “I am not aware of this and I have no comments to offer.” When told that some officials in Goa admit this is happening, she said, “There’s nothing official about it.”
Patients with leukaemia, in need of bone marrow transplant, requiring high chemotherapy or radiotherapy or those needing a second opinion are referred to Tata Memorial. Goan cancer patients in dilemma at Mumbai
Panaji: Cancer patients from Goa are being denied treatment at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital as the state government has failed to clear mediclaim dues.
“I didn’t expect this sort of a treatment from the people friendly Goa government.
I am retired and that’s why I am dependent on the government mediclaim, but government authorities shouldn’t play with our lives,” said the husband of a cancer patient who had been denied treatment.
People working towards the treatment of cancer are not impressed with these developments. “This is a total neglect by the government.
Cancer patients can’t wait, any delay is dangerous and they need to be treated immediately.
You can’t play with the life of the people,” said National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication general secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar.
Interestingly, like Tata Memorial, many private hospitals in Goa are also yet to receive mediclaim money, but they have not denied treatment to patients.
Sini Kutty from NUSI hospital said, “It’s been more than two years and nearly Rs 75 to Rs 85 lakh are pending.
We were planning to take a policy decision not to treat mediclaim patients because we are now in a deep financial mess because of this delay. But we decided against it as the patients will suffer.”
Apollo Victor CEO Bismarc Martins said that approximately Rs 1 crore is pending. “If we stop, patients will die, but the government won’t suffer,” said Martins.
“In the last six months we started mediclaim scheme for kidney dialysis and almost Rs 15 lakh mediclaim money is pending,” added Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan hospital. The most common forms of cancer detected in Goa are of the head and neck, while incidents of breast cancer are high amongst women.
2008 May 17 Times Of India Goa
Cops bust sex racket of desi Russians
Cops bust sex racket of desi Russians
Preetu Nair | TNN
Calangute: For the first time ever in Goa, the police have busted a racket of Indians duping people by posing as sex workers from Russia, Portugal and other nations.
This came to light when the Calangute police picked up three transsexuals from outside a popular tourist joint in Baga on Friday night. The racket has been continuing for some time now. Police informed that these transsexuals would gyrate in shacks and offer themselves for escort services. Besides the three picked up, there are that many if not more plying their trade in the North Goa belt.
A police officer from Calangute said, “They dance in shacks at Calangute and Baga and also work as commercial sex workers. However, sometimes they even cheat and rob clients.” This is the first time a racket of this sort has been busted in the state.
The stereotype image of hijras—sari clad woman, with hairy arms, hands clapping and gruff voice—has changed. The new age transsexuals or eunuchs, who have gone in for sex change operations, even silicon transplants, pose as sexy ladies and offer their services.
It is not uncommon to see a beautiful, sexy ‘lady’ sway to music on a shack as customers drool over her. The show goes on through the night and in the early morning, the ‘lady’ leaves the shack with the highest paying customer.
Upasna (24) was born a hijra, but in the business she was popular as a Russian escort, dancing in shacks in Calangute and Baga. To survive, she even learnt Russian. “In the world of men and women we are neither. Because we are different, everyone shuns us. So, we find various means to survive,” said Upasna. Transsexuals head for Goa’s coasts
Calangute: Upasna, a transexual who was arrested by the police of Saturday for “moving around in a suspicious manner”, had first come to Goa about seven years back. She was then 16.
By the time she was 19, she found herself out of ‘business’ in Mumbai and shifted base to Goa. “I started working as a bar dancer from the age of 17 in Mumbai. When the government closed down the bars, I was forced to become a prostitute and decided to come to Goa during the tourist season.
As there was a high demand for transsexuals by tourists, I settled down in the state,” said Upasna. She has a large clientele, mostly Indian middle aged men and even elderly foreigners.
“Business is good during the tourist season. The shack owners are fine with us dancing in their premises as it attracts customers. The shacks do good business and we earn,” said her friend Julie (21). At night, Julie pretends to be a Portuguese national and also acts as an escort, partnering men to clubs at Anjuna and Vagator that insist on couple entry.
Sophia from Rishta, an NGO that works to create an awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst transsexuals said, “They are operating in the coastal belt. We are trying to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and also trying to bring about a behavioural change in them.”
The trio were bailed out on Saturday evening after they gave an undertaking of good conduct before the Mapusa sub-divisional magistrate.
2008 May 19 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Calangute: For the first time ever in Goa, the police have busted a racket of Indians duping people by posing as sex workers from Russia, Portugal and other nations.
This came to light when the Calangute police picked up three transsexuals from outside a popular tourist joint in Baga on Friday night. The racket has been continuing for some time now. Police informed that these transsexuals would gyrate in shacks and offer themselves for escort services. Besides the three picked up, there are that many if not more plying their trade in the North Goa belt.
A police officer from Calangute said, “They dance in shacks at Calangute and Baga and also work as commercial sex workers. However, sometimes they even cheat and rob clients.” This is the first time a racket of this sort has been busted in the state.
The stereotype image of hijras—sari clad woman, with hairy arms, hands clapping and gruff voice—has changed. The new age transsexuals or eunuchs, who have gone in for sex change operations, even silicon transplants, pose as sexy ladies and offer their services.
It is not uncommon to see a beautiful, sexy ‘lady’ sway to music on a shack as customers drool over her. The show goes on through the night and in the early morning, the ‘lady’ leaves the shack with the highest paying customer.
Upasna (24) was born a hijra, but in the business she was popular as a Russian escort, dancing in shacks in Calangute and Baga. To survive, she even learnt Russian. “In the world of men and women we are neither. Because we are different, everyone shuns us. So, we find various means to survive,” said Upasna. Transsexuals head for Goa’s coasts
Calangute: Upasna, a transexual who was arrested by the police of Saturday for “moving around in a suspicious manner”, had first come to Goa about seven years back. She was then 16.
By the time she was 19, she found herself out of ‘business’ in Mumbai and shifted base to Goa. “I started working as a bar dancer from the age of 17 in Mumbai. When the government closed down the bars, I was forced to become a prostitute and decided to come to Goa during the tourist season.
As there was a high demand for transsexuals by tourists, I settled down in the state,” said Upasna. She has a large clientele, mostly Indian middle aged men and even elderly foreigners.
“Business is good during the tourist season. The shack owners are fine with us dancing in their premises as it attracts customers. The shacks do good business and we earn,” said her friend Julie (21). At night, Julie pretends to be a Portuguese national and also acts as an escort, partnering men to clubs at Anjuna and Vagator that insist on couple entry.
Sophia from Rishta, an NGO that works to create an awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst transsexuals said, “They are operating in the coastal belt. We are trying to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and also trying to bring about a behavioural change in them.”
The trio were bailed out on Saturday evening after they gave an undertaking of good conduct before the Mapusa sub-divisional magistrate.
2008 May 19 Times Of India Goa
Foreigners can’t retire in India
Foreigners can’t retire in India
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: After spending eight years in Goa, a British couple in their 60s—Mash Barry Sidney and Jenice Mash—decided to make the idyllic coastal state their permanent home after retirement. But it wasn’t to be, as they were told that the Indian law forbids retired foreigners from staying permanently in the country.
“When we applied for extension of stay in India, officials at the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO), Panaji, told us we won’t get visa extension as we had sought it for spending our retired life in Goa,” Sidney said, adding, “We were told that it was in line with the instructions of the external affairs ministry.”
Sidney said the FRO got back to him saying, “As per the external affairs ministry’s instructions, foreigners have to spend their retired life in their country and therefore your request isn’t agreed to.” He said the FRO also requested them to immediately leave the country.
This isn’t an isolated case. FRO sources told TOI that every year nearly 3,000 foreigners—including about 800 to 900 from UK alone—staying in Goa, seek extension on their visas. In most cases, foreign nationals seek extension saying they want to spend their retired life in Goa.
“Goa home department rejects the requests citing MEA rules. Our job is to convey this to the applicant,” a senior FRO official said.
Aliens holding land get notices
Panaji: The Enforcement Directorate has served notices to foreigners who have purchased land in Goa and the process of recording their statements is under way.
Additional Collector (North) Swapnil Naik said the government appointed a fourmember committee chaired by Anupam Kishore, Joint Secretary (DEBT Management) Finance, had scrutinized 393 cases of foreigners purchasing properties in Goa. From these the committee had forwarded 298 cases to the Enforcement Directorate in Mumbai. The cases are being investigated for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act that governs the purchase of property by foreigners in India. ‘It is the MEA instruction’
Panaji: The Foreigners’ Registration Office says foreigners cannnot retire in India and should go back to their countries. it has refused extension of visa to two Britons on this ground. Special secretary (home) Diwan Chand said, “We are acting as per the MEA’s visa manual.”
However, legal experts find government’s explanation unconvincing. “I fail to understand under what provision of Indian or international law can they disallow a retired foreigner from living on in the country, a lawyer,” Vikram Varma said.
Lawyer Jos Peter D’Souza said this was invalid ground to deny extension of stay in India. “Government can’t tell foreigners where they should spend their retired life,” he said.
2008 May 29 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: After spending eight years in Goa, a British couple in their 60s—Mash Barry Sidney and Jenice Mash—decided to make the idyllic coastal state their permanent home after retirement. But it wasn’t to be, as they were told that the Indian law forbids retired foreigners from staying permanently in the country.
“When we applied for extension of stay in India, officials at the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO), Panaji, told us we won’t get visa extension as we had sought it for spending our retired life in Goa,” Sidney said, adding, “We were told that it was in line with the instructions of the external affairs ministry.”
Sidney said the FRO got back to him saying, “As per the external affairs ministry’s instructions, foreigners have to spend their retired life in their country and therefore your request isn’t agreed to.” He said the FRO also requested them to immediately leave the country.
This isn’t an isolated case. FRO sources told TOI that every year nearly 3,000 foreigners—including about 800 to 900 from UK alone—staying in Goa, seek extension on their visas. In most cases, foreign nationals seek extension saying they want to spend their retired life in Goa.
“Goa home department rejects the requests citing MEA rules. Our job is to convey this to the applicant,” a senior FRO official said.
Aliens holding land get notices
Panaji: The Enforcement Directorate has served notices to foreigners who have purchased land in Goa and the process of recording their statements is under way.
Additional Collector (North) Swapnil Naik said the government appointed a fourmember committee chaired by Anupam Kishore, Joint Secretary (DEBT Management) Finance, had scrutinized 393 cases of foreigners purchasing properties in Goa. From these the committee had forwarded 298 cases to the Enforcement Directorate in Mumbai. The cases are being investigated for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act that governs the purchase of property by foreigners in India. ‘It is the MEA instruction’
Panaji: The Foreigners’ Registration Office says foreigners cannnot retire in India and should go back to their countries. it has refused extension of visa to two Britons on this ground. Special secretary (home) Diwan Chand said, “We are acting as per the MEA’s visa manual.”
However, legal experts find government’s explanation unconvincing. “I fail to understand under what provision of Indian or international law can they disallow a retired foreigner from living on in the country, a lawyer,” Vikram Varma said.
Lawyer Jos Peter D’Souza said this was invalid ground to deny extension of stay in India. “Government can’t tell foreigners where they should spend their retired life,” he said.
2008 May 29 Times Of India Goa
Attack on Panaji police today
Attack on Panaji police today
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Panaji police are gearing up to defend themselves from an attack by their Mapusa mates. Information with TOI indicates that the Mapusa cops have prepared a systematic plan of attack against their Panaji counterparts on Saturday. Stones with which to pelt the Panaji police have been assembled and an ambulance is standing in readiness to carry off the injured.
It’s going to be an encounter worth watching and those wishing to witness the war between the men in khaki can do so at the Porvorim police ground, which has been selected as the battlefield.
But it’s a battle from which both sides will walk away from the field with their heads held high.
The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers. For that’s exactly what the fight will be — a drill.
“After the attack on the Panaji police station, we thought we should rethink our handling of a mob. This would help the morale of the police as they would be able to handle the mob and avoid allegations of brutality or helplessness,” said North Goa SP Bosco George.
The exercise will have about 50 policemen each playing the roles of law protectors and rioters. While the mob will pelt stones and attack with sticks, those playing the cops will be garbed in full riot gear consisting shields, lathis, helmets and chest guard to defend themselves. An officer will take charge and direct his juniors in the defence.
The operation focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob. Goan cops to be trained to handle mobs
Panaji: The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers.
The drill focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob, said North Goa SP Bosco George.These rules involve warning the mob, mild charging, using tear gas and firing — not to kill but to disarm.“We are taught this in the police training school, but over the years many of us may have forgotten it,” said SP George.
The issue gains importance due to the alarming increase in mob attacks. This was discussed at weekly police meetings after the attack on the Panaji police station in February by a group led by an MLA.This year there have already been 20 cases of rioting reported in North Goa. Contrast this to they year 2006, when 27 cases were reported. The situation in 2007 was quite bad, with as many as 47 cases of mob attacks reported.
“In the first round, the SDPO Panaji would take on the mob consisting of officers from SDPO Mapusa and in the second round, the SDPO Ponda would take on Porvorim,” said SP George.At the end of the contest, would come the result. Officers from Reserve Battalion, observing the ‘conflict’, would submit their report for the cops to act upon.
2008 May 31 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Panaji police are gearing up to defend themselves from an attack by their Mapusa mates. Information with TOI indicates that the Mapusa cops have prepared a systematic plan of attack against their Panaji counterparts on Saturday. Stones with which to pelt the Panaji police have been assembled and an ambulance is standing in readiness to carry off the injured.
It’s going to be an encounter worth watching and those wishing to witness the war between the men in khaki can do so at the Porvorim police ground, which has been selected as the battlefield.
But it’s a battle from which both sides will walk away from the field with their heads held high.
The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers. For that’s exactly what the fight will be — a drill.
“After the attack on the Panaji police station, we thought we should rethink our handling of a mob. This would help the morale of the police as they would be able to handle the mob and avoid allegations of brutality or helplessness,” said North Goa SP Bosco George.
The exercise will have about 50 policemen each playing the roles of law protectors and rioters. While the mob will pelt stones and attack with sticks, those playing the cops will be garbed in full riot gear consisting shields, lathis, helmets and chest guard to defend themselves. An officer will take charge and direct his juniors in the defence.
The operation focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob. Goan cops to be trained to handle mobs
Panaji: The rising number of attacks on the police has affected the morale of men in khaki and the North Goa police decided upon a mob control drill for its police officers.
The drill focuses on training policemen on how to face a violent mob as well as the rules of engaging a mob, said North Goa SP Bosco George.These rules involve warning the mob, mild charging, using tear gas and firing — not to kill but to disarm.“We are taught this in the police training school, but over the years many of us may have forgotten it,” said SP George.
The issue gains importance due to the alarming increase in mob attacks. This was discussed at weekly police meetings after the attack on the Panaji police station in February by a group led by an MLA.This year there have already been 20 cases of rioting reported in North Goa. Contrast this to they year 2006, when 27 cases were reported. The situation in 2007 was quite bad, with as many as 47 cases of mob attacks reported.
“In the first round, the SDPO Panaji would take on the mob consisting of officers from SDPO Mapusa and in the second round, the SDPO Ponda would take on Porvorim,” said SP George.At the end of the contest, would come the result. Officers from Reserve Battalion, observing the ‘conflict’, would submit their report for the cops to act upon.
2008 May 31 Times Of India Goa
Greens slam Goa’s draft mineral policy
SEEING RED
Greens slam Goa’s draft mineral policy
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The state government is in the process of formulating a ‘Draft Mineral Policy - Goa’ which ostensibly lays stress on protecting the environment and on corporate social responsibility in the mining belt. But NGOs and environmentalists have come out strongly against it.
Government officials are tightlipped on the policy and refused to be drawn into any discussion on it.
“The government, it seems, has silently followed the diktats of the mining lobby and has prepared the draft to please mine owners. It allows mining in the same manner, this time under the garb of uplifting villages as part of social-corporate responsibility,” said environmentalist Ramesh Gauns, who has studied the draft policy. “Without taking into account the ground realities, no draft policy can be prepared,” he added. Saying that the policy had failed to impress, an incensed Gauns added, “This makes a mockery of the villagers and humiliates those affected by mining activity.”
Environmentalist Claude Alvares also showed surprise. “None of us working on environment issues in the mining sector have been contacted for preparing the policy,” he said.
According to Gauns, if the government was serious about its commitment to people, all it had to do was check whether mine owners have been responsibly carrying out mining activities. “Studies conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Goa assembly house committee report of 2000 say that mining has destroyed water bodies, paddy fields and created environmental hazards,” said Gauns. CRITICISM GALORE Mineral policy or mining policy?
Panaji: The ‘Draft Mineral Policy - Goa’, which environmentalists are criticising, looks quite harmless on the face of it.
It talks of corporate social responsibility and asks mining companies to provide infrastructure facilities such as drinking water, electricity, transport, telecommunication and health facilities in the areas of their operation. And the state government will share the costs of specific schemes.
However, these tall claims fail to impress environmentalists. “These things have long been on paper but in reality nothing happens. We have heard many such promises that never take off, even as the mine owners, often illegally continue work in complete violation of all laws and policies. It is a policy just to fool poor people,” said environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
He added, “The government on one hand talks about protecting wild life sanctuaries and water bodies, but at the same time they along with the mining lobby have destroyed much of it. Two examples of how mining destroys, is of the Kaley river in Sanguem and mountain peak Ravon Dongar in Canacona taluka.”
Criticising the government for bringing a “mineral policy” instead of a “mining policy”, environmentalist Ramesh Gauns said, “Talking about mining would have forced the government to take into account various sectors like environment, water bodies, people’s health and livelihood and whether the area in which the mine is coming up has any sustainability.”
The draft policy (a copy of which is available with TOI), which facilitates planned and systematic exploitation of mineral resources in a sustainable manner, has emerged taking into consideration the views of various stake holders - forest, mines and enviornment departments as well as the mine owners.
The mineral policy suggests that the cess amount collected could be used for the improvement of infrastructure and welfare development in the mining belt, which include health camps, scholarships for the needy, constructing approach roads and projects to increase the socio-economic development of the villages in the mining belt.
The policy states, ‘Water stored in abandoned pits should be used to meet the shortfall of the resource during the lean season and effective care also needs to be taken on dumps which are along side water bodies so as to reduce washoffs. Besides, use of explosives along the rivers should be discouraged, wherever possible and they should be replaced by ripping.’
The draft policy also dwells on proper rehabilitation of the area, once the process of economic extraction of a mine is complete.
The state government also adheres to the view that while it is necessary to earmark mining areas, no prospecting leases should be allotted in wild life sanctuaries and national parks or wetlands.
Besides, an environment management plan is being encouraged to adequately provide for controlling the environmental damage, restoration of mined area and planting of trees.
Greens slam Goa’s draft mineral policy
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The state government is in the process of formulating a ‘Draft Mineral Policy - Goa’ which ostensibly lays stress on protecting the environment and on corporate social responsibility in the mining belt. But NGOs and environmentalists have come out strongly against it.
Government officials are tightlipped on the policy and refused to be drawn into any discussion on it.
“The government, it seems, has silently followed the diktats of the mining lobby and has prepared the draft to please mine owners. It allows mining in the same manner, this time under the garb of uplifting villages as part of social-corporate responsibility,” said environmentalist Ramesh Gauns, who has studied the draft policy. “Without taking into account the ground realities, no draft policy can be prepared,” he added. Saying that the policy had failed to impress, an incensed Gauns added, “This makes a mockery of the villagers and humiliates those affected by mining activity.”
Environmentalist Claude Alvares also showed surprise. “None of us working on environment issues in the mining sector have been contacted for preparing the policy,” he said.
According to Gauns, if the government was serious about its commitment to people, all it had to do was check whether mine owners have been responsibly carrying out mining activities. “Studies conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Goa assembly house committee report of 2000 say that mining has destroyed water bodies, paddy fields and created environmental hazards,” said Gauns. CRITICISM GALORE Mineral policy or mining policy?
Panaji: The ‘Draft Mineral Policy - Goa’, which environmentalists are criticising, looks quite harmless on the face of it.
It talks of corporate social responsibility and asks mining companies to provide infrastructure facilities such as drinking water, electricity, transport, telecommunication and health facilities in the areas of their operation. And the state government will share the costs of specific schemes.
However, these tall claims fail to impress environmentalists. “These things have long been on paper but in reality nothing happens. We have heard many such promises that never take off, even as the mine owners, often illegally continue work in complete violation of all laws and policies. It is a policy just to fool poor people,” said environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
He added, “The government on one hand talks about protecting wild life sanctuaries and water bodies, but at the same time they along with the mining lobby have destroyed much of it. Two examples of how mining destroys, is of the Kaley river in Sanguem and mountain peak Ravon Dongar in Canacona taluka.”
Criticising the government for bringing a “mineral policy” instead of a “mining policy”, environmentalist Ramesh Gauns said, “Talking about mining would have forced the government to take into account various sectors like environment, water bodies, people’s health and livelihood and whether the area in which the mine is coming up has any sustainability.”
The draft policy (a copy of which is available with TOI), which facilitates planned and systematic exploitation of mineral resources in a sustainable manner, has emerged taking into consideration the views of various stake holders - forest, mines and enviornment departments as well as the mine owners.
The mineral policy suggests that the cess amount collected could be used for the improvement of infrastructure and welfare development in the mining belt, which include health camps, scholarships for the needy, constructing approach roads and projects to increase the socio-economic development of the villages in the mining belt.
The policy states, ‘Water stored in abandoned pits should be used to meet the shortfall of the resource during the lean season and effective care also needs to be taken on dumps which are along side water bodies so as to reduce washoffs. Besides, use of explosives along the rivers should be discouraged, wherever possible and they should be replaced by ripping.’
The draft policy also dwells on proper rehabilitation of the area, once the process of economic extraction of a mine is complete.
The state government also adheres to the view that while it is necessary to earmark mining areas, no prospecting leases should be allotted in wild life sanctuaries and national parks or wetlands.
Besides, an environment management plan is being encouraged to adequately provide for controlling the environmental damage, restoration of mined area and planting of trees.
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