MEETING OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN GOING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PONDA AREA

PONDA: Please find enclosed photographs of the meeting mentioned above, at the Savitri Hall, Ponda, beginning 8.30 am on the 30th of July 2011, organized by FO.R.C.E... It is estimated that over 2000 parents were present : the crowd overflowed the hall, people were crowded in corridors and verandahs around the hall; and yet another busload arrived (after having a puncture) towards the end of the meeting.

See More Pics of Ponda F.O.R.C.E. Meeting at the bottom of the article

Premanand Naik, convenor of FO.R.C.E., welcomed the parents. Mr. Custodio Dias was the compere.

Advocate Chandra Shilkar reminded all present of the need of English in today’s world. He said that the use of English as medium of instruction in primary school cannot be seen as detrimental to any other language or culture, especially since Konkani and Marathi were now compulsory. Mrs. Louella Vaz also spoke on the occasion.

Mr. Savio Lopes, Secretary of FO.R.C.E., reiterated the stand of the parents that they would not tolerate nay changes in the decision of the Government, especially under the duress of people who have nothing to do with education, people who have not yet come up with agenda of their own, but want to prevent parents getting their rights. He asked the parents present if anybody had been forced to sign the forms. Everyone stood up immediately and screamed their “NO!” They said that they had signed their desire for their children, in a totally voluntary manner.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Sintia DaCosta Fernandes, Treasurer of FO.R.C.E., thanked the Government of Goa for giving the parents back their rights, especially the right to CHOOSE. Whether they chose Konkani or English or Marathi, it was now a democratic process once again.

GOA POLICE IN DIRE STRAITS by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

In recent years the Goa police have been in dire straits. The chaos has further compounded ever since Mr. Ravi Naik took over as Home Minister four years ago. Ministers and MLA’s are virtually running the police stations. With some policemen stooping to be as low as slaves of the politicians, the political interference in the working of the police cannot get any worse.

The new Director General of Police Dr. Aditya Arya has not had the time to settle down with a barrage of issues confronting his police force from the day he landed in Goa. The latest is the death of police constable Chandru Gawas which should be an eye opener.

The policemen are made to work long hours which needless to say is taking a toll on their personal lives. The working condition of the police constable has to improve. Their salaries and benefits should be rewarding. We have enough policemen, but they are not being rightly deployed. Hundreds of policemen are being assigned to protect and serve politicians beyond their official entitlement.

With Chief Minister Digambar Kamat leaving every public issue unresolved, police are relegated to monitor morchas, demonstrations and public meetings. It has become a daily phenomenon and hardly a morale booster. Today policemen have no time left for proper investigation of crimes and street policing which infact are the basic duties of the police force.

HEARING ON 2ND JULY

PANJIM: The 15 crore defamation case filed by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak against Adv. Aires Rodrigues will come up for hearing before Panjim Civil Judge Senior Division Mrs. Kshama M. Joshi on July 2nd.

The court will pronounce its order on the application made by Advocate General Subodh Kantak to modify the issues in his petition. Adv. Aires Rodrigues has strongly opposed the application filed by the Advocate General stating that it was yet another ploy by Advocate General Subodh Kantak to delay his own petition.

After Adv. Aires Rodrigues highlighted the exorbitant fees being paid to the Advocate General of Goa, Mr. Subodh Kantak initiated two defamation proceedings against Adv. Rodrigues. One of the case from the JMFC’s court moved to the High Court and later to the Supreme Court which later came to be dismissed by the JMFC after Subodh Kantak failed to appear for the hearings.

In the present case pending before Judge Kshama Joshi, Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak has sought Rs 15 crores by way of compensation from Adv. Aires Rodrigues and has vowed to use the money for charitable causes like old age homes, orphanages and towards the welfare of animals.

Mr. Subodh Kantak who had been accused by Adv. Aires Rodrigues of being the country’s highest paid Advocate General has had to face perhaps the longest cross examination ever with Adv. Rodrigues intensely quizzing Mr. Subodh Kantak on his character, conduct and competency as Advocate General of Goa. Adv. Rodrigues cross examined Advocate General Subodh Kantak for over 26 hours.

GOA VOTES: VOTE 4,500 RUPIA OR 420 MLA by Emediavoices, Goa

For weeks we are observing unique heat of wild voices and angered scripts by the readers and writers of Niz Goenkars based not on hatred but on angered voices to blog on the future path for a clean government in your state. For universe a billion year is equivalent to a day and for you friends it’s less than a year to structure the steps to walk on the booths. In a matter of seconds you will then decide the diversion to shape self and the path for your children’s.

For a decades we have observe in your state, the absence of conducting a common platform election whereby the politicians can be quizzed, ask their agenda. What we discovered are the microphones, loudspeakers, recorded slogans with their well-wishers barking like scavengers and yelling as if they are starved for months without food. Why are the press conferences not held prior to the election with the current contesting candidates (sorry to state candidates, they are fit to be hyenas). The only art we see in your candidates is bowing in front of the public houses as if adoring the Devi’s or Devchars. Why? Least they should LIE flat on the ground similar we saw in Tamilnadu.

From prior elections, we had instant reports of voter’s names and for whom they have cast or castrate before COUNTING. Is this remote cigarette balloting or secret butting? We have reports of your candidates crooks (including panchayat members) distributing 500 Rupees per vote in Divar, Charao, Malar, Narao, Vanxim, Akdar, St.Estevam, Old Goa and parts of Goa and adjoining areas of Cumbarjua and yet the people receives with pride and votes the candidate with a venomous smile.

Are the 420 MLA’s paying the rents in advance for next 5 years for St. Francis balcony or Bom Jesus guest house? What is the purpose of the automatic balloting machines? Is it a not a better option for the election commission to introduce blending, vending or ATM machines for Goan voters to debit bailout for the default ministers.

CRIME BRANCH DENIES AND ARE ALL SET TO FABRICATE STORIES: CHANDRAKANT SALGAONCAR LIES

PANJIM: The crime branch has submitted a report to the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) claiming that constable Chandru Gawas "must have consumed poison due to personal reasons". The report, submitted by crime branch DySP Chandrakant Salgaonkar to the DIG states, "From Gawas' mobile phone details and other relevant information, it appears that the driver must have consumed poison due to personal reasons.

He never expressed his difficulties to any of the superior officers at any time. His earned leave application dated June 22, 2011, was forwarded to DySP M T Section on the very next day—on June 23—with a remark 'recommended replacement driver may please be deputed'." The Police officers of dirty nature like Chandrakant Salgaoncar have got the habit of creating documents as per their requirements and must have done this to save their skins.

Chandrakant Salgaoncar is a known culprit in harassing the officers of lower rank specially the constables and is even known to loot them. This he has been doing ever since he became a PSI. He has been womanizing all the time too. He used to give dirtiest badwords to the police constable on their mothers and sisters and fathers. These have been heard by quite a lot of people says a head constable who asked us not to use his name. The head constable also had his doubts that it could well be Chandrakant Salgaoncar and Pravinkumar Vast who forcible administered Ratol to Chandru Gawas who knew quite a lot of their dirty secrets.

Following Gawas' death, the DGP had instructed crime branch officials to find out why he had consumed poison. In this connection, they had gone through the call details on Gawas' mobile phone. "He had only spoken to one woman for a long time on the intervening night," sources said. The report also states that Gawas was admitted to Campal hospital for treatment under a bogus name—Samir Naik. Gawas had consumed Ratol on the morning of June 25 while on duty as he was "upset and irritated" with life. Besides being denied leave for his wedding, he was unhappy with the working conditions and had reportedly blamed three crime branch officials for this, sources said.

He expired on June 28. Gawas, from Nanora, Bardez, who was on duty on June 24, consumed poison on June 25 between 12am and 12.30am and went to sleep. A little later, he received a call from his cousin informing him about an aunt's death. The cousin suggested that Gawas and she should together go to their aunt's house, but found that he was not responding to her queries. Soon after, she heard him vomiting and asked him where he was. He responded saying he was at the crime branch and then switched off his mobile phone.

MICKKY PACHECO DEMANDS THE ARREST OF THE THREE ACCUSED POLICE OFFICERS IN CONSTABLE SUICIDE

PANJIM: Former tourism minister Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco has demanded that the police register an offence against the three police officials from the crime branch, who have been named by constable Chandru Gawas and arrest them. "Chandru Gawas, in his dying declaration before the special judicial magistrate, said that crime branch officials DySP Chandrakant Salgaonkar: the dirt bag of Goa Police, senior PI Sunita Sawant: an unfit police officer and PI Pravinkumar Vast :the goonda cop. had tortured him and forced him to take the extreme step.

A case should be registered against these three officers and they should be immediately arrested," Pacheco demanded. He also met DGP Aditya Arya on Wednesday morning in this regard. Pacheco claimed to know about the persons named in the dying declaration despite the special judicial magistrate making it clear to the Panjim police that the constable requested his statement not be shared with the police or anyone else. It had been submitted in a sealed envelope to the chief judicial magistrate.

To this, Pacheco's former officer on special duty, Lyndon Monteiro, said, "From our sources we have found out that these officers have been named in the dying declaration. The SJM was herself present at the Panjim police station to lodge a complaint that she has received threats and she is being pressurized to change the constable's dying declaration." "The law should be equal for all. I was tortured by some police officers and put behind bars, even when there was no complaint filed against me. Till date the police has no evidence against me. In this case the constable has made a dying declaration and the family members have lodged a complaint," Pacheco said. Pacheco was arrested in 2010 by the crime branch in connection with the death of his friend Nadia Torrado. He was charged with abetment of suicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder by the police. DGP Aditya Arya said, "Mickky Pacheco had come to give a complaint and the same has been forwarded to SP (North)."

Arya admitted that immediately after the constable was admitted to the hospital, he had called DySP Salgaonkar, PI Sawant and PI Vast to his office and sought their explanation. "We have lost one of our constables. On June 22, he had applied for 59 days leave from July 6 and it had been forwarded to the MT section for approval. He acted in haste. If he was troubled, he should have approached his senior police officials, including me", he added. On Wednesday, Gawas's body was handed over to his relatives after a postmortem was conducted. The Panjim police have written to the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) requesting a copy of the dying declaration.

NCP ACCUSES THE THREE CB OFFICERS OF ABETTING SUICIDE OF THE CONSTABLE

PANJIM: A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator's complaint, accusing three Crime Branch officers of abetting the suicide of a constable, will be examined, the Goa Police Thursday said.  Confirming Benaulim legislator Mickky Pacheco's complaint, Director General of police (DGP) Aditya Arya said: "We are looking into the complaint. The Goa Police have lost one of our family and we are going to get to the bottom of the matter."

Police driver Chandru Gawas consumed rat poison while on duty last week and succumbed to internal injuries Monday.

In his dying declaration to special judicial magistrate Maria Mascarenhas, constable Gawas said Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar and inspectors Sunita Sawant and Pravin Vast were harassing him at work, which was why he was forced to commit suicide.  "All the three police officers should be arrested immediately because they are trying to destroy evidence, which is leading to them," Pacheco said, after meeting the DGP Thursday.  Speaking to reporters later, Arya said he has summoned the accused and the top brass at the Crime Branch. – IANS

GOA GOVERNMENT CHANGES THE APP IN 2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE

PANJIM: The Goa Government has changed the Assistant Public Prosecutor in the 2004 Ribandar Church Case. Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Frances Noronha who was handling the case on behalf of the State has been removed and APP Mrs. Tema Narvekar has been directed to handle the prosecution.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues had in a complaint to the Chief Secretary of Goa Mr. Sanjay Srivastava demanded APP Frances Noronha’s ’s removal for her misconduct in Court.

Adv. Rodrigues had drawn the attention of the Chief Secretary that APP Frances Noronha by the manner of her behaviour in Court was not maintaining the decorum and dignity required from an APP.

Adv. Rodrigues had also stated in his complaint to the Chief Secretary that the conduct of APP Frances Noronha was most shameful and that it amounted to virtually blackmailing the Court. APP Frances Noronha had strongly opposed the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has been repeatedly drawing the Court’s attention that in the 2004 Ribandar Church trial Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Frances Noronha was acting as an agent of Father Newton Rodrigues instead of discharging her duties as an APP in accordance with law and placing the correct facts before the Court.

Meanwhile, JMFC Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today heard arguments on the application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues seeking to withdraw the complaint against Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues today strongly opposed Father Newton Rodrigues’s application stating that Father Newton Rodrigues against whom a warrant of arrest is pending cannot make any application to the Court unless he first surrenders before the Court and gets the warrant pending against him canceled. Adv. Rodrigues has also stated that Father Newton Rodrigues’s application was not maintainable as it was not within the provisions of law.

Judge Sarika Faldessai will pronounce on July 5th her order this application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues. The cross examination of the last prosecution witness Inspector Braz Menezes will also continue on July 5th.

NO ENQUIRY INTO MINE DISASTER DEATHS AS YET

MARGAO: In what clearly highlights the insensitivity of the authorities towards mines safety issues, the government is yet to initiate any probe-police, magisterial or judicial-into the June 17 Cuddegal mine disaster that claimed the lives of three mine workers. Police have registered the deaths as "unnatural".

In the absence of investigations, South Goa district administration is uncertain whether to consider it a natural disaster and invoke provisions of the Disaster Management Act, or hold the mining company responsible for its acts of negligence, if any.   "It's for the government to decide whether to order a probe or otherwise. So far, I have not received any communication from the government. The disaster management cell has forwarded a proposal to me pertaining to the incident, which I will look into," South Goa collector Sandeep Jacques said on Tuesday.

Mines secretary S Kumarswamy when contacted declined to answer any queries regarding the incident. The mines department, which submitted its initial report into the incident to the government, has shrugged of its responsibility stating the incident occurred outside the mining lease area.

According to the report, heavy rains triggered the collapse of the mining dump and tailing point at the beneficiation plant. It also suggested that the government appoint a committee to inquire into the incident.

Sources have countered observation made by the mines department that the incident was a consequence of a natural calamity. They have called into question the safety standards adopted by the company in designing the tailing dumps at the mine.

"The incident cannot be termed as a natural calamity. It is a man-made one. Structural engineers advise that tailing dumps should be maintained at a certain height after taking into consideration the angle of repose and factor of safety. The height and the slope of a tailing dump are designed assuming worst case rainfall scenarios and further securing by applying a factor of safety," a source said.

What has further caused raised eyebrows is the failure of the police in registering a complaint against the mining company. Curchorem police have registered the loss of lives of the three mine workers as "unnatural deaths".

DySP Rohidas Patre when questioned dismissed the query saying, "There is no case of negligence made out against the mining company."

Patre's arguments do not seem to hold water, considering that in a similar incident at the Tollem mines of Timblo minerals in December 2006-a mining dump had collapsed killing six workers-Sanguem police had registered an offence against four officials of the mining company, including its managing director. They were charged under Section 304(A) (negligence) of the IPC. A magisterial inquiry was also ordered by the government.

Sources said the disaster management cell of the South Goa collectorate has proposed that a meeting of all concerned agencies-mines department, directorate of mines safety and Fomento-be convened by the district magistrate to ascertain the causes that led to the disaster. It has also been proposed that proper guidelines be framed with regard to the design of tailing dumps by mining companies to avert such incidents. Sources said they have also sought the views of the directorate of mines safety-the regulatory agency for safety in mines-over the incident.

Rainfall calculation critical when designing a dump  Stability of tailing dumps is affected by various factors which are broadly classified into hydrogeological and rain water condition in the dumping area, load bearing capacity of the location, and geometry and strength of the dump material, among other categories.

Sources said as Goa receives very heavy rainfall during the monsoon, this factor should be critical while designing and executing safe dump disposal practices at mines. The change in behaviour of the geological material due to the presence of water poses a serious threat during the monsoon. The shear strength reduction due to rise in pore pressure leads to the failure, sources in the engineering field said.

Elucidating further, the source said: "The higher load due to the dump height and the presence of water reduces the frictional strength of the dumped material. Surface water flow and percolation within the dump slope may create hydropressure within the various voids, which will reduce the shear strength and factor of safety. The slope geometry and the geo-mechanical strength of the dump material always control the dump's safety factor. The director general of mines safety (DGMS) maintains that the dump slope should not be more than at an angle of repose of the dump material with a ratio of 1:3 of the bench width to bench height."

SJM MARIA MASCARENHAS THREATENED BY PI PRAVEEN VAST TO DELETE HIS NAME FROM CHANDRU’S DYING DECLARATION

PANJIM: Police inspector Praveen Vast has been booked for threatening a special judicial magistrate (SJM) in connection with a case involving the death of a constable, police said Wednesday.  In her complaint, SJM Maria Mascarenhas said Crime Branch officer Praveen Vast had Tuesday night tried to threaten her through an intermediary into deleting his name from the dying declaration of police constable Chandru Gawas, who consumed rat poison while on duty Friday (June 24).

S Jl Magistrate Maria Mascarenhas

Gawas, who succumbed to the poisoning Tuesday, had named Vast and other Crime Branch officers of harassing him to death.

‘I have also asked for police protection after I was threatened by Vast’s associate to change the dying declaration last night,’ Mascarenhas said, adding that the dying declaration was in custody of the local trial court.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police Aditya Arya summoned Crime Branch officers, including Superintendent of Police Mangaldas Naik and Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar on the issue.  ‘The police inspector has already been booked for abetment of suicide of our constable Chandru. I had summoned these officers to know their side of the story,’ Arya said.

WILL LOK PAL ASSURE US BETTER DAYS AHEAD? by Jose Maria Miranda

Better late than never, the people of India seem to have woken up to the reality that the country is being swindled by a few dishonest and unscrupulous politicians and bureaucrats. But how much of these noises will eventually translate into votes and how much we can really achieve when the choice is between the devil and the deep blue sea, is what needs to be seen.

The scams that have rocked the country in the last few months have severely dented the image of India and its prestige suffered tremendously. The print and electronic media abroad have given wide publicity to them. Referring to the corruption in the administration and even in the judiciary and the punchless efforts in retrieving the illegal money stashed in tax havens abroad, questions are being asked whether our nation is in a coma. UK’s “The Telegraph” says that ‘India’s elephantine legal system will ensure that culpability is delayed”

A German daily laments that India is becoming a “Banana Republic instead of a economic superpower” while others predict that the ‘have-nots will hit the streets in India because the Indian leaders in business and politics are so blissfully blinded by their new ill-gotten wealth and deceit that they are living in defiance, insolence and denial”. Yet, we are too conceited and thick-skinned to realize the truth of these statements and that the recent happenings have made us objects of ridicule and a laughing stock for the whole world.

The PM’s justification of his inaction in 2G scam by citing constraints of coalition is certainly unacceptable but we cannot help acknowledging its truth. No other party or PM would have acted differently, risking their survival in power. And here lies the root of the problem. No political party in India is clean or can afford to remain clean.

The greed for money and power is too tempting. It compels politicians and political parties to stoop to any levels to retain their chairs. Our own Chief Minister is one such example. But why fault only the politicians? Aren’t we ourselves in one way or the other corrupt? Many of us get paid for our vote, either in cash or kind. Most of us run to politicians for donations or personal favours to sanction or protect our illegalities, even though they are against the interests of our neighbours or our people or the State. Can we, in such a situation, refuse to canvass and vote for these individuals, even though we may know of their abominable antecedents?

If we need to change the system, we need to change ourselves – is what we often say, but rarely practice. Anna Hazare has rightly asserted that if he has to contest elections, he would lose his deposit. It is neither easy to end corruption nor any easier to get the right people elected – not alone because the right people are reluctant to join politics but principally because the right people cannot afford the type of money that is needed to win an election.

The country is facing a dearth not so much of upright people but of fearless, efficient and dauntless people who will take on the corrupt and the unscrupulous. In the present administration, they would run the risk of their lives, as many already have experienced.

The pressure that has been built may see the early passage of the Jan Lok Pal Bill by a reluctant Parliament comprising a sizeable number of individuals with criminal and dishonest background. The Bill, being drafted by renowned legal luminaries, may not have many loopholes that the politicians would wish to see to escape prosecution.

With the Lok Pal in place, hopefully, there will be some 4sanity in administration, particularly because corrupt politicians and bureaucrats may have to go home for good, if found guilty. However, let us not be overconfident that things will change drastically. Having seen the worst of the corruption with hardly any checks or punishment, we can’t help being cynical. Yet, it is certainly a step in the right direction

THE RP2021 SAGA CONTINUES by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

20th June 2011, with great expectations the people of the Canaguinim village went to Quepem to scrutinize the RP 2021 which was kept for viewing and registering of objections if any, through the notification of 6th June 2011, on an English daily.

During the tedious peoples participatory process of raising objections to delete the detrimental contents of the original RP2021 and submittal of recommendations of new proposals to be incorporated in the revised RP2021, the people of Canaguinim, were led by the then Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza who guided them expertly through this highly sensitive and illustrious RP2021 saga, ultimately after due deliberations the people submitted the new proposals with enthusiasm and expectations. Soon after which Rev. Fr. Henry was promoted and transferred to Sanvordem where he is today the head of the Guardian Angles Educational Institute.

Even after his transfer his love for the people of his old Parish has not diminished and the people still reach out to him for help and guidance and so on 20th June the people approached Rev. Fr. Henry to accompany them to the TPC Quepem for the review of the revised RP2021. As expected, expectations were high, anxiety even higher, knowing fully well and being aware of the agendas of our conniving double dealing corrupt politicians. But what they found out was beyond anyone’s imagination.

The biggest anomaly noticed, was that the RP 2021 which was kept for viewing was without any date, isn’t this very strange ? People are supposedly expected to review the RP2021 but how can they be sure which version they are reviewing if it’s not dated ? This action of the Authorities proves beyond any doubt their evil designs and agendas.

Second anomaly, the entire Quitol and Naqueri village is engulfed in the mining area, which shows 13 new mining leases, who has proposed and approved these mining leases ? The Gram Sabha has not approved nor been notified, so all of a sudden how 13 new leases in the RP2021 ? Even the 1/3 area marked as green area, has been identified as mining area in the new RP version. What on earth is going on ?

Third anomaly, Food Park and Auxiliary Services even though rejected by the people with overwhelming majority and promised by the local MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar that this project will cease to exist, has some how appeared again on the revised RP 2021.

Forth anomaly, marinas have been added to the Canaguinim coast, probably even a jetty for mining. Our traditional local fishermen from the entire coast from Palolem to Canaguinim, depend on the sea coast for their livelihood infact their very survival depends on this coast, as these areas yield high catches of squids, shrimps and fishes of different verities, in addition to the shell fish. These beaches are frequented by vast number of picnickers from all over Goa through out the year. The fresh air and the natural surroundings have healed a lot of people from breathing dieses. Year after year people flock to these beaches in even greater numbers. Both the beaches at Nuem and Canaguinim need to be protected from erosion to retain it’s beauty and serenity but our government instead of preserving and treasuring these areas is out to destroy them.

Fifth anomaly, large areas outside the Food Park and Auxillary services have been marked as Industrial Areas. Despite overwhelming opposition from the people our Authorities have further added more anomalies that will completely destroy the entire area with the tilt in the natural environmental balance against it and the hardships of the people of Canaguinim, Quitol, Naqueri and Betul will only magnify and the burden of which will devastate the lives of all the people living in those areas and beyond. All what the people had recommended is missing and all that was rejected by the people and much more is being forced on the people there.

On 27th June the aggrieved members of the Betul Panchayat along with Bro. Orvil and Fr. Henry approached the T&C Planner in Panjim to lodge their complaints and displeasure at the approach of the Authorities towards the people of their area, but unfortunately they have been given yet another appointment, postponing appointments could be a ploy to discourage people from approaching the authorities, it’s common knowledge that the Local MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar has a good hold at the T&C Planning department.

Along with Rev. Fr. Henry, Br. Orvil too has been helping the people with all the legalities, RTI requirements and guidance and have been sources of inspiration for these oppressed people, now they are all annoyed and aggrieved at the total indifference shown by our Authorities towards the feelings and wishes of the people of Canaguinim, Naqueri, Quitol, Betul and beyond, but the people have promised in no uncertain terms that they will not give up and fight till the end, they are ready to even sacrifice their lives if they have to.

This should be a warning to the Authorities and the politicians not to take the people for granted and if they continue to do so, it will not be long before people take law into their own hands and the Authorities will be fully responsible for any action by the people to safeguard their lives and their land

CS ORDERS PROBE AGAINST APP HANDLING RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE

PANJIM: Chief Secretary of Goa Mr. Sanjay Srivastava has directed the Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar to conduct an inquiry and submit a report into the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Mrs. Frances Noronha for her alleged misconduct in the 2004 Ribandar Church trial.

On 2nd June 2011, APP Mrs. Frances Noronha had allegedly threatened Judge Mrs.  Sarika Faldessai that she would walk of the court if the bail given to Adv. Aires Rodrigues in the Ribandar Church case was not cancelled. She had also further threatened the Court that no other APP would appear in the case.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues had on 3rd June filed a written complaint against APP Frances Noronha, drawing the attention of the Chief Secretary that the APP Frances Noronha by the manner of her behaviour in Court was not maintaining the decorum and dignity required from an APP. 

Adv. Rodrigues had further stated in his complaint that the conduct of the APP Frances Noronha was most shameful and that it amounted to virtually blackmailing the Court.

With the verbal spat between Judge Sarika Faldessai and APP Frances Noronha yesterday the conduct of APP Frances Noronha may now come under the further scanner of the Government.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has been repeatedly drawing the Court’s attention that in the 2004 Ribandar Church trial Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Frances Noronha was acting as an agent of Father Newton Rodrigues instead of discharging her duties as an APP in accordance with law and placing the correct facts before the Court.

It may be recalled that APP Frances Noronha had strongly opposed the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues.   

Meanwhile, JMFC Mrs. Sarika Faldessai will on June 30th hear arguments on the application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues seeking to withdraw the complaint against Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

Adv. Rodrigues has strongly opposed Father Newton Rodrigues’s application stating that Father Newton Rodrigues against whom a warrant of arrest is pending cannot make any application to the Court unless he first surrenders before the Court and gets the warrant pending against him canceled.

Adv. Rodrigues has also stated that Father Newton Rodrigues’s application was not maintainable as it was not within the provisions of law.

WILL THE REAL GOAN STAND UP PLEASE??? by C.Dias for Niz Goenkar.

We have been writing, reading, talking and hearing the malice’s that are affecting Goa and Goans. This has of late become a daily affair and way of life for most of us.It all started in the year 2007 when the congress (I) government was installed with Digamber Kamat as the chief minister. Since then Goa is being raped and today is sitting on an active volcano of crime, drugs, gambling, illegal mining, custodial deaths, brutal murders,molestation, rapes, cover ups, bribes for government jobs, commission for government contracts, agents in RTO, suicide by government servants, police inability and inefficiency, illegal builders, land sharks, and what not.

One or more or all of the above things must have affected each one of us. Mine and your bearing capacity has been tested day in and day out, today we have to think not to earn our bread but to think how we are going to put a full stop to all these unwanted thresh of a few thousands whom we can’t change even though we are fifteen lakh plus. They are back riding us for a long time now. Isn’t the time come to throw them at the sonsodo garbage dump? Or are we waiting for more repeat of Cipriano, Melwyn, or Gawas?

Writing a few lines to satisfy our urge that we (me included) are doing something is not going to solve this magnitude of a problem.

This is just not enough; it needs our physical involvement, what is our strategy? Will the real Goan please stand up and take the lead to lead? I am asking again, will you please standup? – C. Dias.

AN OPEN EMAIL TO THE PRESIDENT OF TIATR ACADEMY OF GOA AND HIS REPLY by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

Dear Sir,

Your article on the urgent need for promoting patriotism and nationalism through tiatrs was an excellent read. Our tiatrist's should be patriotic towards our state first if they are to create feelings and raise emotions of patriotism among the huge section of Goan society.But, at this particular moment it does not appear so.

Almost everyone is aware that there are a lot of issues gripping the state today and that our politicians are responsible for all this. Goans today are fighting a battle for liberation from our very own Goan politicos.

Our tiatrists pretend to be patriotic towards our state by criticizing politicians in their songs and tiatrs. At the same time, they seem to get sponsorships from these same politicians to release their VCD's and Tiatrs.They are then invited to release the VCD or as a chief guest for the Tiatr.It is more suprising for me to see that some of the senior tiatrists in your Tiatr Academy,are patronising some of the politicians and at the same time direct tiatrs that are based on them. I dont have any problem them rubbing shoulders with the politicians, but i feel they should stop criticizing these same politicians in their songs and tiatr.

As a fan of tiatr it is dissapointing for me to see this. It makes me wonder if these tiatrists are fooling goans by their double standards.It appears that our tiatrists of today are in desperate need of fame and money.If this is the case,i'm afraid there won't be any patriotism left among our tiatrists.

I have written numerous articles on Goan newspapers on this,but nothing seems to change.It would be nice if you can throw some light on this,as the president of the Tiatr Academy of Goa.

Awaiting your reply.
Thanking You,
Willie Severes

Dear Willie,

Thanks for your feedback.

Whatever you have expressed is true. Tiatrists have to change their mind-set if they really believe in what they say through their tiatrs and songs.

However, I will try to write yet another article including the points raised by you.

Thanks & regards

Tomazinho

NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSAULTS A POLICE CONSTABLE OF MAPUCA PS

PANJIM: A Nigerian national was arrested by the Mapusa police for assaulting a constable attached to the Mapusa police station and fracturing his arm.  Constable Upendra Poll was assaulted by Lambart Ekwa, 33, when he apprehended him for not possessing travel documents, including a passport, on Tuesday afternoon.

"We have registered a case under Section 333 of the IPC for causing grievous injuries to a government servant on duty, as well as under the Foreigner's Act as he did not possess the necessary travel documents. He has been arrested and is in police custody," said Mapusa PI Rajesh Kumar.

On Tuesday, the police started a drive to crack down on Nigerians residing without valid documents within the Mapusa police jurisdiction. "We raided a Nigerian's house in Mapusa in the afternoon. As news about the raid spread, many of the Nigerians staying in Goa without valid documents left their homes and tried to escape the police. Ekwa, too, while attempting to avoid the police, was nabbed by Poll and other policemen on duty upon being intercepted at Guirim," said police sources.

When the police asked him whether he had valid travel documents, Ekwa pushed Poll and tried to give him the slip. "He ran into the fields for nearly 700m before Poll managed to catch him. However, he tried to push Poll and escape. But when Poll held on to him and shouted out to his colleagues, Ekwa assaulted him. However, Poll did not let him escape and soon the other policemen came and overpowered the Nigerian," said police sources.

Later, when Poll was sent for a medical examination, doctors confirmed that he had fractured his arm, the police said.   The Mapusa police have sent a wireless message to all police stations, including the foreigners' registration office (FRO), to verify if the Nigerian has any criminal cases registered against him in the state.

ARE WE WITNESSING A CRISIS OF CHARACTER IN GOA? by Jose Maria Miranda

Among the many crises we have faced in the last fifty years, the one that ought to dismay us the most and the one which has sullied our reputation the maximum, is the crisis of character. Most of our elders lived by some principles and cherished some values, which they passed on to us, but which many of us either failed to imbibe or to profess. In the consumerist society in which we live, we have exchanged “good” for “goods” and “values” for “value”. We had seen a few turncoats at the time of Liberation.

But that was perhaps somewhat understandable - accepting the irreversible. However, what we saw, years later, by way of defections was utterly shameful and debasing. Not only did development and governance suffer due to Government instability but Goa turned notorious, being the Sate with the highest number of people occupying the Chief Minister’s chair in the shortest span of time.

But it is not of these greedy, unscrupulous and unprincipled individuals, some of them near illiterate, who still occupy Ministerial positions, that I am talking about. It is about those who we ourselves rightly placed on a high pedestal because of their high intellect, education, integrity and most of all the sound principles and ideals they stood for.

We respected and admired them, for often they stood their ground, against many odds, sailing against the tide. I am referring to the strange spectacle of some respectable gentlemen joining hands, on the Medium of Instruction, not only with their one time sworn enemies and traitors of Goa and Goans but also with the most communal and detestable elements, whose main aim, until today, is to destroy the peace and tranquility in Goa and the centuries old amity that prevails among the various communities in this State.

Granted that one is often constrained to accept or at least not to reject the support of some unworthy and unreliable individuals or organizations, though there are outspoken people like Anna Hazare who rejected politicians and asked them to stay away from his campaign. But here we have some otherwise most honourable gentlemen and even priests, themselves stooping to lend support and rub shoulders with individuals, some of dubious credibility, others blatantly communal.

Everyone has a right to his or her opinion and even to take to the streets to try and enforce it. But when respectable individuals call for a bandh in full knowledge of its pernicious effects, when no other issues which have been destroying the lives and the livelihood of thousands of poor people and hundreds of our youth, like debasing corruption, illegal mining, drug peddling, road accidents, jobs and promotions on sale, damage to the environment, etc. seem to concern them, one keeps wondering whether those who we had looked up as role models, have too been contaminated and the crisis of character has hit them too.

What pains us most is that some of these gentlemen felt inhibited to associate themselves with several of the aforementioned issues because of their party affiliations or leanings while they did not hesitate to call for the dethronement of the Government on the MOI issue.

Their social and moral standing in society would have lent credence and impetus to the various causes our people have been fighting for. But they chose to be silent and indifferent to what has been affecting our dignity, our identity, our very existence and the future of our children and of our State.

On the MOI, certain questions come to my mind, which make me wonder whether the “regional languages” protagonists have a hidden agenda:

If the general policy in the country is to support the mother tongue, which in my humble view, is the right approach, why did the Act provide for MOI “preferably” and not compulsorily in mother tongue? Certainly there were compelling reasons for such a decision.

It is an accepted fact that Konkani is the mother tongue of the Goans. Then why are the English baiters, particularly those who have in the past valiantly fought for Konkani, not insisting that grants be given only to the mother tongue and not to Marathi?

Can anyone stop parents from sending their children to English medium schools, if they can afford their fees? Won’t it, therefore, be unfair to deprive those who cannot afford them? Or are we afraid that the “servants” will become our “masters” one day if we allow free English education to those belonging to the lower strata of the society?

If the agitators are genuinely concerned about our culture and our language, why did they allow hundreds of English medium primary schools to be opened after Govt. aided schools shifted to Konkani/Marathi medium?

Is the catholic community being targeted solely because it is in the forefront of the agitation for grants to MOI in English when it is the majority community that may in fact reap the greatest benefits, since the majority of students in English schools come from the majority community?

GOAN NRI’S IN LONDON COME TOGETHER TO END RAMPANT MINING IN GOA

PANJIM: Concerned about the plunder of resources caused by rampant mining in Goa, non-resident Goans (NRGs) in London have come together in a bid to end the pillage. The 'Save Goa Campaign UK' has been started by Carmen Miranda, a former director of the Panos Institute.

She claims that rapacious mining in the state's hinterland has put Goa and its people in jeopardy. "The campaign will help spread awareness amongst the Goan community abroad. Donate and help raise funds for activists and organisations in Goa that are taking legal and other actions," Miranda said.

Miranda, who has been actively lobbying with the union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh over the last few years on the issue of the disastrous effects of unplanned mining in the state, believes that Goa is being virtually "dug out of existence".

"The Grand Canyon ( Arizona, US) took millions of years through natural processes. In Goa, the process at one of the mines took less than 50 years. We are digging out our own grand canyon at incredible pace," said Miranda, who has been documenting the ravages caused by open cast iron ore mining in Goa over the last several years.

Over 110 mines are in operation in Goa and 130 are awaiting clearance. Some 600 million tonnes of mining rejects are dumped in about 50 villages spread across the state's mining belt. Over three-fourths of a million odd trees have been legally ordered to be cut by the Goa forest department, largely for mining purposes.

These are some of the startling facts Carmen came across while documenting the vastly unpopular mining phenomenon in Goa.  "Goa has 46 percent of iron ore leases granted in India, while it is only 0.1 percent of Indian territory," said Miranda. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, she added, Goa had been granted 359 of the 769 mining leases for iron ore that have been issued in the country.

"Over eight percent of Goa's territory is under mining... Through 'Save Goa campaign UK', we are appealing to the people to take part in lobbying to ensure no new mining leases are approved," she said.

Carmen's campaign has already stirred a buzz on the internet with renowned environmentalists pitching in with their views.

Said Bittoo Sehgal, editor of Sanctuary Asia: "In Goa, there are groups of very, very solid citizens who love their home and life itself. If we can be the wind under their wings, we will have done ourselves so much good. I do not understand what it is that makes people crave for money so much that they would sell their souls. What will the next generation remember us for?"

Goa's more than 100 operational mines are run by mining firms like Sesa Goa, a Vedanta Resources-owned company, VM Salgaonkar and Brothers Ltd, Salgaonkar Mining Industries and Fomento Resources Group.

The opposition has accused several ministers in the Goa cabinet of being involved in illegal mining trade. According to leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, nearly 18 percent of Goa's annual output of 40 million tonnes of iron ore is illegally mined.

DYING DECLARATION OF GAWAS WILL HAUNT HIS SENIOR COPS (Courtesy Herald)

PANJIM:  “Jiv di (give your life)”. This is what PI Vast reportedly said when constable Gawas asked for leave  Police driver Chandru Gawas who spent almost four days in the hospital following a suicide attempt, died while he remained unconconsious almost throughout the day Tuesday evening.

The 33-year-old police driver, who would have been married by July 9, consumed ‘ratol’ while on duty last Friday allegedly due to harassment by seniors.

He was rushed to a private hospital by his colleagues and cousin after he began vomiting continuously. The doctors on examining him stated he had consumed poison.

As his condition deteriorated, the victim was shifted to Goa Medical College’s ICU ward on Monday evening.

Sources said that alleged harassment by seniors and growing exasperation at work place might have forced him to take an extreme step.

A police inquiry was launched but no case was registered until his death. Panjim police have registered a case of unnatural death. “If the investigation points out any suspicion, we will register another case…” North Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas said.

In his dying declaration to the Special Judicial Magistrate (SJM) Maria Mascarenhas, the constable has reportedly named three senior Crime Branch officers including Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar and police inspectors Sunita Sawant and Pravin Vast, for harassment.

“We are yet to receive the SJM’s report. We will seek for the report from the Court and all the names in his dying declaration would be investigated,” the officer said.

The victim’s family said Chandru did not have personal worries. Chandru was posted at Crime Branch as a police driver.

Shortly  two hours before his death, a relative confirmed that Chandru did not endure any personal tensions but, he also did not share his work problems.

“As far as I know he did not have any personal tension. He was infact ecstatic over his marriage which was scheduled for July 9…” said a cousin requesting anonymity.

The family is shattered by his death.

Medical Superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar said “The vital organs stopped functioning. The liver and kidneys were badly affected. He became restless and hence he was put on intermediate oxygen. He struggled to breathe,” Dr Kunkolienkar said.

Asked whether the poison could have been cleansed from the internal body system, Kunkolienkar replied in negative.

Director General of Police Aditya Arya, North Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas and other officers met Chandru on Monday hours after he was shifted from the private clinic to the GMC..

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: Chandrakant Salgaoncar is a known harasser of lower rank police personnel.  He even had gone to the extend of getting a police constable beaten up by some goondas and keeping his gold chain worth Rs 15 to 20 thousand rupees back in 1983 at Valpoi when he was a PSI.

EVERY CONSTABLE IS A POTENTION CHANDRU GAWAS by Juino De Souza (Courtesy Herald)

PANJIM: “I was made to polish and tie the shoe laces of my boss”- Panjim constable

We begin with a day in the life of an ordinary constable in the Goa Police and on a day when one of them, Chandru Gawas has died, after consuming poison, because he could not handle the alleged harassment from his seniors.

If a lower level police constable were to write a personal dairy, this is what a page from any one day of that diary may read.

“Wake up to my boss’s wife calling me to drop the children to school on a police jeep. Get abused for coming late. Rush the children to school. Reach police station. Boss flings files at me for no reason. Abuses me and my family and orders a 5000 rupee deduction from my salary. Get to the police rest room late in the evening. The bed sheets are stinking. There is no water. The toilet is unusable. Go to the ground floor toilet. The urinals are full and overflowing. Tomorrow is another day. Will have to polish the bosses’ shoes properly or will get punished further”

This isn’t a fictional account but just a summary of various experiences that the lowest in the Goa Police faces on a daily basis. Herald spoke to many policemen, visited their barracks and rest rooms and heard stories first hand.

80 per cent of the police force are the most abused, least cared for and exploited under the guise of discipline and duty.  They are reportedly verbally abused by police officers and they cannot do a thing due to strict rules of so-called discipline within the force. “Our good work is never recognized, nobody cares for our welfare. We have to take the brunt and suffer verbal abuse at the hands of our officers. It is the mood of the police inspector that calls the shots. If he is in a bad mood then he unleashes his temper on us and sometimes even files are flung on the floor. We are often punished severely for small mistakes. Instead of issuing a warning letter or a memo, our increments are stopped and amounts up to Rs. 5000- from salary is deducted by the district superintendent of police,: said one policeman.

Constables’ work hours are much against established labour laws and living facilities shockingly far from those used by humans. “We are expected to perform duties for 12 to 16 hours on a daily basis. The dormitory type rest room at  the Panjim police station which is also shared by the staff of the Panaji traffic cell is hopelessly insufficient. “We want more space, extra fans, mattresses with clean bedsheets, filtered drinking water, proper toilet and bathing facilities with adequate water supply,” they request.  Same was the story at the Porvorim police station where the rest room is mosquito infested and the adjoining toilet unusable. “We have to use the ground floor toilet facility which has just two filthy urinals,” constables narrate their woes.  

A posting at Goa’s flagship police station at Panjim is a nightmare  “No constable is willing to be posted here as the work is heavy and rewards none”, said a head constable.

Abusing constables for personal work of higher police officers is not new. “There are times when we accompany officers’ children to and from school in police jeeps. On one occasion, I was made to polish and tie the shoe laces of my boss,” remarked one constable.  

The policemen have no internal union or an association that can redress their grievances. After all, the people who they should take their grievances to are the cause of them.

73 HOUSES WILL BE DEMOLISHED IN BAINA

VASCO: As many as 73 houses along the Baina stretch to Desterro will be demolished on June 30, as part of efforts to expedite work on the incomplete NH17B.  Owners of the 73 structures have received keys of tenements for the Project Affected People (PAP) from Goa State Rehabilitation Board (GSRB).

In a high-level meeting called by South Goa Collector Sandip Jacques on Monday evening, an action plan was drawn to raze down 126 structures from Baina shore to Desterro as part of port connectivity project, which has been delayed for nearly three decades by the State government.

However, the urgency is to meet the June 30 deadline set by the High Court, asking the State government to free the acquired land from NH-17B from all encroachments and hand it over to NHAI.

The GSRB has built 256 units for PAP at Headland Sada, besides 40 flats for fishermen at Joshi Bhat.

CORRIGENDUM

In our edition dated June 28 we inadvertently carried a news item saying 126 Khariwado structures to face the axe on June 30. In fact, the houses to be razed are along the Baina-Desterro stretch. We regret the error and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to the villagers of Khariwado.

THE MOI SAGA CONTINUES by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

Politicians not only in Goa but all over India just love to turn and twist the simplest of issues into ugly communal and religious ones. They are known to do anything and everything possible to divide the people so that they can rule the roost.  Even then people willingly try to jump into this bottomless pit head on.

For a moment I would like every one to go back in history, to the time of the Opinion Poll. Goa is Goa today only because of the then Catholics of South Goa or else if the Marathi protagonist had, had their way we would have been an unknown part of Maharastra by now.

It is an undisputed fact that Catholics of South Goa saved Goa, that does not mean north Goans and secular and non-radical Hindus were not a part of the success, they were but the difference was made by the minority’s majority of South Goa.

Again during the Konkani agitation, it was the Catholics of South Goa that made the difference, no offence to the supporters from the North, there was enough support from up north and from the secular and non-radical Hindus again but again the defining difference was made buy the minority’s majority of South Goa, this too is an undisputed fact.

Again during the RP2011 and SEZ agitation, whole of Goa supported the GBA, but again it was the Catholics of South Goa that were the most vociferous and active who made the difference. The minority’s majority of South Goa, to the rescue again. That too is an undisputed fact.

Now getting back to the MOI, like it has been said, it is again the Catholics that are leading the fight, do the secular and the non-radical Hindus not support English as MOI ? Yes they do, like all the above three issues Hindus have been an integral part of the success, if a survey is done, I am sure the number of Hindu students in English medium schools would be up there with the Catholic students, there were a large number of Hindu parents amongst the more than 50 thousand gathered at the Azad Maidan in March-April but no one can deny the contributions of the South Goa Catholics to this cause too.

In all these issues, it is true that the Church in Goa was responsible to a great extent to mobilise Catholic support and it is also an undisputed fact that whenever the Church has intervened Catholics have overwhelmingly supported the Church’s stand, but like a lot of others it’s beyond my imagination as to why the Church in Goa is silent over corruption flourishing under the Congress, even though the worst offenders being our very own Catholic politicians of South and Central Goa?

Let me make myself clear, I hate communalism and I hate people who thrive on it for personal gains. The MOI, a simple issue is turned political as well as communal and now religious by all concerned politicians, not for the love of any MOI nor for the love of the people or the language but for their own political mileage, nothing more nothing less.

I am a product of Konkani medium in primary, but I have had no problems competing with English medium luminaries and I can prove anyone and everyone wrong, who say that Konkani medium students cannot compete at the top, because I know a lot of my fellow konkani medium students who are up at the top not just in Goa but around the world. I am sure even after all this, people will wonder why I am not against English as the MOI and that is because I also know a lot of people from English medium who haven’t missed a thing of Konkani and are up there professing Konkani.

Would I and my fellow Konkani medium students be better off if we had English as MOI in the primary? I don’t think any one of us would be able to answer that question in earnest. It’s both ways and no body can be sure, but what I am sure of is, if I was educated in English medium I would never be worse than what I am now, could be better but surely not worse, saying that I also know that if it wasn’t for the Konkani medium my Konkani would have not been what it is today.

During my college days too, my friends in Bombay were totally surprised at my Hindi and use to comment that for a Goan my Hindi was excellent, I have no doubt that it was only possible because of my Konkani influence in primary school. Today I am happy and proud, that I can read and write in English, Hindi as well as Konkani in both scripts without any hassle, but unfortunately the question still haunts me, would I have been better off intellectually ?

Would I have been better off in my approach socially ? Or Would I be better off professionally and hence economically, if I was educated in English medium in primary ? That is something I could never come to terms with nor could anyone else. So why leave it to chance? Let the Parents decide what is good for their children. I for one wouldn’t want my children to tell me twenty years down the line that they would have been better off if they were educated in English. Konkani can be protected and preserved without forcing it down the throats of our children.

Now if the Catholic politicians form South Goa supporting English MOI is a political master piece, I do not deny it, it is true, but all the same what can be said about RSS, Sena’s support for the Protagonists of Marathi, led by none other than the strong adherent “Marashtrawadi” Shashikala and the “Atti Hindutva” Parrikar ? Shouldn’t the minority feel insecure ? That is one reason that the Catholics prefer corruption to communalism and unless there comes a party or a group of people who can assure and prove to the Catholic minority Goans that they are a totally secular force, ready to work for the good of Goa and Goans, this grim, unpleasant and unfortunate situation in Goa will not change. The minority needs to feel secure and be secure, and none of what the “saffronites” in cohorts with the “Sang Parivar” are doing at the moment points in that direction. In Goa there is absolutely no difference between the corrupt Congress and the Communal BJP, one worse than the other on every front. It’s a pity, Goa so far does not have a strong and popular third front. It could have been our answer.

My other question is when the minority community Catholics were the main and the overwhelming force to protect Goa from the “Maharashtrawadis” and an even greater force in making Konkani as the official language of Goa, why is their right to equal status for Romi script being denied or rejected ? Isn’t that communally and politically motivated? Isn’t a sound minority deprived of their right? I am sure if Romi script was given equal status and a choice for MOI, the Catholic opposition would have been nullified. The Catholics phobia is not with the language but with the script which is truly alien to most of them. There should be respect and acceptance for the minority community and should not be taken for granted, as it not just a minuscule minority but a healthy much larger and contributing minority.

I pray to all, not to use one different yard-stick for the minority community as being communally and politically indifferent and a different yard-stick for the majority community for the same. Use the same yard-stick for both. There are ample flaws in attitudes of both, that need to be ironed out and mutual respect built. If the majority have contributed to the progress of Goa in a large way, the minority community too has had it’s fair share in it. So also if the minority community is responsible for electing pseudo secular and corrupt politicians, the majority community is not far behind in electing communal and tainted politicians too.

What we need to look at, as Goans, is where do we stand today in this once paradise called Goa and what is good for the future of our children and our land. Unity is the key and we should not fall prey to the communal, religious and personal agendas of our conniving corrupt politicians.

RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE : “AT LEAST RESPECT THE JUDGES’S CHAIR” JMFC TELLS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

PANJIM: During the proceedings of the 2004 Ribandar Church case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others today the Court of Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class today witnessed a verbal spat between the Judge Mrs. Sarika Faldessai and Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Frances Noronha.
A visibly annoyed Judge Faldessai while strongly and sternly reprimanding APP Noronha for the manner in which she was addressing the Court, told the APP “at least show some respect for the Chair I am occupying”.
The Judge and APP today got into an argument when Adv. Aires Rodrigues was cross examining then Crime Branch Police Inspector Mr. Braz Menezes on the advice given by Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar in the in the 2004 Ribandar Church case.
The Judge told the APP that if she had any issue with any question that was being put to Inspector Braz Menezes by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, she should officially raise her objection instead of casting aspersions on the functioning of the Court.
The cross examination of Inspector Braz Menezes which remained incomplete today will now continue on July 5th. Earlier today on being cross examined by Adv. Aires Rodrigues for over an hour Inspector Braz Menezes conceded that though he was the Investigating officer of the Ribandar Church case, all the directions in the case were being issued by his Superiors.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues today submitted to the court a copy of the official noting sheets of the Ribandar Church case obtained by him under the Right to Information Act from the Crime Branch.
On being confronted with the copy pf the noting sheets Inspector Braz Menezes conceded that the case file was sent to the Director of Prosecution, Advocate General, Law Secretary as well as the Chief Secretary for their opinion. Inspector Braz Menezes also conceded that as per the file notings then Chief Minister Mr. Pratapsingh Rane had on 4th February 2005 directed that the charge sheet against Adv. Aires Rodrigues be filed.
Earlier today, JMFC Mrs Sarika Faldessai stated that she will on June 30th hear arguments on the application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues seeking to withdraw the complaint against Adv. Aires Rodrigues.
Adv. Rodrigues today filed his preliminary objection to Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s application stating that Fr. Newton Rodrigues against whom a warrant of arrest is pending cannot make any application to the Court unless he first surrenders before the Court and gets his warrant canceled.
Further stating that Father Newton Rodrigues’s application was not within the provisions of law, Adv. Rodrigues today accused Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Frances Noronha of acting in the case as an agent of Father Newton Rodrigues instead of discharging her duties as an APP in accordance with law.

DNA TESTS CONFIRM YOGITA NAIK WAS KILLED BY MAHANAND NAIK

PANJIM: In the Yogita Naik murder case, an expert from central forensic science laboratory, Hyderabad, has concluded through DNA profiling that the body recovered was of the victim, who was allegedly killed by Mahanand Naik in 2009.

During the trial before the sessions court at Panjim, a senior scientific officer said that the tissue sent by the police for conducting the DNA test belonged to the 'biological female offspring of Yogita's parents'. In May 2009, the police department had submitted the body parts of the victim for DNA profiling.

According to the chargesheet filed by the police, in January 2009, the accused had taken the victim to a cashew plantation at Morlem and strangulated her to death. The police also stated that Mahanand robbed her gold ornaments valued at ` 80,000. The accused had befriended the victim under the false pretext of marrying her.

HARASSED POLICE CONSTABLE WHO CONSUMED RATOL PASSES AWAY AT GMC - by Atul Naik

PANJIM: The police constable driver, 33 years old Chandru Gawas attached to the Crime Investigation Department, Dona Paula, who had consumed ratol apparently due to work stress, passed away while undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim Tuesday evening, informed police inspector, Mr Ramesh Gaonkar.

Mr Gaonkar stated that the police have registered it as an unnatural death and that he is investigating the matter and added that an inquest panchanama has been conducted. He said the body has been sent for post mortem examination and it would be conducted on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the constable’s family members lodged a complaint with the Panjim town police station against police inspector, Mr Pravinkumar Vast, attached to the crime branch, alleging that he harassed Chandru.

Friend circle of the deceased constable claim that he was harassed by both PI Vast and Chandrakant Salgaoncar. One of Chandru’s friend who called himself Rudresh told this reporter that both the DySP Salgaoncar and PI Vast were the main harassers of their friend and the Chandru had told him about this but he could do nothing fearing police reprisal.

The family members said that they would not claim the body unless justice was done to the deceased by initiating action against the officials responsible for the alleged harassment at work. They alleged that Mr Vast refused to grant leave to Chandru, who was set to get married on July 9.

Chandru had consumed poison while on duty on the night intervening Friday-Saturday. He was found vomitting while on duty and was rushed to a private hospital where he disclosed that he had consumed Ratol to end his life as he was under tension for some time, said sources in the police department. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the GMC.

Chandru’s statement was recorded by Special Judicial Magistrate, Ms Maria Mascarenhas in the presence of a camera and before two panch witnesses and later it was submitted to the court in a sealed envelope. Chandru joined the police force some eight years back.

POLICE CONSTABLE CHANDRU GAWDE SINKING AFTER AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE DUE TO HIGHER OFFICIALS HARASSEMENT AND TORTURE

PANJIM: Police Constable Chandru Gawde would have been married by July 9. As he lies on his hospital bed, sinking into a situation where the worst is likely, he has reportedly said enough to a magistrate, to expose how police officials torture their subordinates.

The Special Judicial Magistrate also recorded the statement of the constable wherein, sources claimed, that the victim has named three Crime Branch officers who would harass him which led him to take an extreme step. Constable Gawde, 33, consumed ‘ratol’ last Friday night but has just about survived till now.

DySP Deu Benaulikar confirmed that Gawde’s condition is critical.

Gawde was rushed to a private hospital in Panjim where he was under direct supervision of the senior doctors. His health however began deteriorating and he had to be shifted to GMC on Monday evening where his condition is still critical.

Sources say the constable has alleged extra work and constant harassment by seniors in the police statement who even refused leave for his wedding.

“He was abused by a senior police officer and was being constantly harassed. He was always burdened with work not considering his off day as well,” said police sources.

Benaulikar when contacted said the constable has alleged ‘extra work’ in the police inquiry. The officer however refused harassment at work place.  

Niz Goenkar correspondent in Goa learnt from his close friends and relatives who spoke on condition of anonymity that Police Constable Gawde was constantly harassed by Chandrakant Salgaoncar of the Crime branch specially on collection of Hafta’s due to him.   Our reporter also got some news that even the SP of the crime branch too was harassing him on the say of Chandrakant Salgaoncar.  They still wanted to say more but feared reprisal from the Police and the crime branch and kept mum, thought they did not disclose their names.

GEORGINA NUNES REFUSES TO TESTIFY IN CIPRIANO MURDER CASE

PANJIM:  The final inquiry into the death of NRI seafarer Cipriano Fernandes has hit a road block as the prime witness has refused to cooperate with the police.Sources say that Georgina Nunes, an eye-witness to the police beating Cipriano, enroute Porvorim to Panjim, has not responded to all four summons issued by the inquiry officer DySP Bossuet S’Silva.

It appears that Georgina has been bribed heavily to buy her silence or threatened to keep silent.  This is how democracy works in India and Goa.  It could also mean that she could be a part of the plot.

Failing to get her deposition despite repeated reminders, the department on June 1 wrote to Cipriano’s friend that she needs to give a convenient date to record the statement wherein a team could be sent to her place.

Subsequently, another letter on June 9 was posted to her place reminding her of the previous letter.

“…convey a convenient date to record your statement…there has been no communication from your side. Your presence for the case inquiry will be highly appreciated,” reads the letter to Georgina.

In reply to the police communication, Georgina, on June 22 wrote that she was not keeping good health and hence she is not in a position to depose before the police.

She further asked the police to give her prior intimation of one week to make herself available at the Panjim police station for recording her statement.

Police inspector Sandesh Chodankar, police sub inspector, Radhesh Ramnathkar and head constable, Sandeep Shirvoikar were suspended by the then Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi on the basis of an interim report submitted by DySP Silva.

In his preliminary inquiry, the officer concluded that the three policemen had not adhered to guidelines for making arrests which were laid down by the Supreme Court in 1996.

Cipriano was arrested on January 7 after his girlfriend complained that he had threatened her with a knife. He was thereafter admitted to the GMC after he started frothing at the mouth on January 8 and died the next morning.

MATANHY SALDANHA DEMANDS THAT GOVT SHIFT NAVAL BASE TO KARWAR

  PANJIM: Former Cortalim MLA Matanhy Saldanha has demanded that the Goa government strongly pursue the ministry of defence with the shifting of the naval training centre at Dabolim to the Karwar naval base.  Pointing out that the government is preparing to spend Rs 10,000 crore on the Karwar naval base expansion, he said the Goa government should demand that the naval training centre be shifted there and be made a part of the expansion programme.

He said that shifting the training centre to Karwar can make way for the return of Dabolim airport to civilian authority as it was prior to Goa's liberation by the Indian Armed Forces in Operation Vijay. "The Dabolim airport was seized by the Indian Armed Forces during Operation Vijay and has remained in its custody as war booty since then," he said adding that now was the time to demand it back as a Golden Jubilee gift to Goa by the forces that liberated it.

He also pointed out that the Indian Armed Forces have sizeable land in Goa in its possession which is nearly 10% of the total area in Goa. The expansion of Karwar naval base is undertaken as a check to the proposed construction of a naval base at Gwadar in Pakistan by China which will give Pakistan direct access to the Gulf region, Saldanha said.

GOGEL WHERE GOD AND THE DEAD LIVE TOGETHER!!!! by Abel Barreto exclusively for Niz Goenkar and Goan villagers.

Sadolxem is a God's own village, where Our Lady of Rosary and Devki goddess have made a permanent abode for themselves by the river Talpona which was enraged on 2nd October 2009.

This unspoilt village where no outsiders are found is unique in n numbers of ways and another wonder of this place which is kept a closely guarded secret and kept aloof from outside invasion is the Gogel on the hills of the Sadolxem village, where water flows directly from the heaven.

The ancestors of this village came from Salcete after their family and neighbors disowned them after conversion by the Portuguese.

These ancestors accidentally discovered Gogel when they were grazing their cattle on the hills of Sadolxem. Since then this Gogel has attracted picnickers to enjoy the heavenly waters in the company of earthly booze.

You can track the Gogel by foot or you can bring the Gogel on your desk by google satellite imagery or simply get glued to the still photos.

And if you decide to track it on foot, then you have to follow a local from a ward called Muthal in sadolxem. Gogel located at Pokolim is at five Km’s from this place. On the way the holly cross welcomes you and reminds you to be careful on your way up hill. A little ahead all type of birds sing for you till they leave you in the company of the dead at the now unused cemetery of Our Lady of Rosary Church. As you pass by the cemetery saying hello to all the dead, remembering your loved ones buried and saying a small prayer, in no time you realize that the gods own abode is not so far.

One of the unique nesses of Gogel lake which is ten meters deep and twenty meters wide is, no life is lost till today in this lake where water falls from a little height at the center and forces its way up in all directions, The divine water is also believed to be having some medical properties, as it comes from the springs from the upstream as it rubs with all types roots and stones enriching it with minerals.

As I come to the end of this article, I received a couple of phone calls not to throw this jewel open to the world, as Sadolxemkars are afraid that the picnickers may not abide by the thumb rule that all types of waste is to be taken while saying goodbye to the Gogel. The virgin untrampled Garden of Eden where the God and the dead party together and in the rainy season, the SADOXEKARS.

LONG LIVE GOGEL,
LONG LIVE NIZGOENKAR,
LONG LIVE GOAN VILLAGER,
LONG LIVE GOA.
By Abel Barreto exclusively for Nizgoenkar and Goan villagers.