NEW YEAR PRAYER AND RESOLUTIONS by Dalia

Let us cherish the coming of the New Year as usual, year after year. Let us try to be good and content, kind to each other. If it didn't bring you joy just leave it behind, let's ring in the new year with good things in mind. It's a new year, let's give a cheer.  Pour some wine and some beer.

Looking back on the months gone by, as a new year starts and an old one ends.

We contemplate what brought us joy, we think of our loved ones and our friends. Sympathies, to our enemies. A small prayer for my beloved Goa, the future of my next generation that it may be spared from the clutches of corrupt politicians. Another small prayer, for the growth of Niz Goenkar in every Goans’ mind, to spread its message that we need to stand up against our corrupt system. That common man can live with a sigh of relief at the end of the day. Let us be brave when the burden is great, faithful when wounded by sorrow. Teach us when troubled, with patience to wait for a better tomorrow.

This was the year of Niz Goenkar, the year of Menino Fernandes and his team, reader, writers, contributors and not forgetting commentators and foes alike. Niz Goenkar has grown from the day of its inception. It has made a dent in politician’s dirt bag. It has educated a few people, Goans in general that Goa is for Goans only. Let our dear guests remain in peace with us and cherish. Not destroy and plunder.

My own New Year Resolution, to tolerate fools more gladly. I shall squeeze from the bottom of every dirty politician and stay where trouble can't find me. I shall not quit Niz Goenkar and never be afraid to comment against the plunders of Goa. I will stand up against the fools who tell us that our politicians, their families are our saviours. I will educate the crumb eaters, the hired mobs, rent a vote type of people that doing so, we only will loose Goa. I will strive for the betterment of my fellow being for the benefit of every Goenkar.

Como Vivas, um grande Ano Novo uma CADA UM de VOCÊ querido Niz Goenkar.

RESPONSE TO YOGESH MARATHE By N Fernandes, London:

Goa should be as progressive State?

**NOTE: I am mindful and aware that some commentators have remarked that replying to Yogesh Marathe is a Pointless and fruitless exercise.

I am also mindful and aware of a request by P.Cruz, for unity in the face of many evils Goa has to confront today.

In my personal opinion and evaluation and assessment, Yogesh has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate, a distorted view of history and its facts, to serve the agenda of “DARK FORCES”. My current intelligence and hunch is that he is a humble servant, fanatic and radical, of an organisation that wishes to merge Goa with Maharashtra.

He has either elected himself or been appointed by agents to come and spew utter rubbish and upset the Niz Goenkar applecart.

He uses a “carrot and stick” approach. He seems to use and exercise suspicious politeness, but below that politeness is a hidden and darker agenda.

Having read Yogesh`s response to me, I conclude that it is more than laughable as it is loaded with his personal “Historical Comedy” and interpretations of words beyond their real and true meaning.

Suggest to Yogesh that India too has committed atrocities in Kashmir, Khalistan, Assam, etc…his answer is “ this is due to anti-Indian sentiments. I suspect the Portuguese,Sikhs,Kashmiris or Goans have “no right” to have such sentiments.

His reply to my article is full of crazy contradictions.

He has chosen “Bizarre Rhetoric” instead of common-sense or diligence to argue his case and facts.

World English Dictionary

rhetoric (ˈrɛtərɪk)  — n

1. the study of the technique of using language effectively

2. the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory

3. excessive use of ornamentation and contrivance in spoken or written discourse; bombast

4. speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning: all the politician says is mere rhetoric

He has chosen to wear his skateboard and skate around and justify his own versions of history. In more simplistic terms-“He beats around the bush”

I commend Yogesh`s ability to write good grammar. But the misuse of words to support his case is blatantly “Comical”. I am sure many people will agree with me that a “POND” is not the “SEA” or “OCEAN. A “motive” is not “symbolism”. One leaf (RTI) does not make a TREE”. Also, “One swallow does not make a summer”.

He is of the belief along with the FF`s that the NRP Sagres arrived in Goa uninvited, without permission, and in defiance, to land with a re-colonising motive. This is what incited the Freedom Fighters to take exception and protest.

In my view the only gain the Freedom Fighters achieved is ridicule and further distrust. It was a demonstration and protest of sheer madness.

I am sure every intelligent person knows the meaning re-enactment.

Stories from the Mahabharata are re-enacted often. So too are Shakespeare’s plays. I am also sure that everyone knows what a commemoration is. I sincerely hope there is a difference between “commemoration of a sea voyage” and “commemoration of colonisation”. Commemorations and re-enactments do not have to be date specific or are not governed by strict guidelines.

I am sure, ”IF” intelligent diplomats in New Delhi felt the ships arrival was to celebrate re-colonisation, it would have advised against such a visit and send the might of all its warships to greet it. NRP Sagres is no more than a wooden Ship of a past era. The Portuguese too would be sensitive and exercise due diligence to such an event taking place.

Who`s action is right? New Delhi, or the semi & uneducated Freedom Fighters and Goan Politicians or a comical supporter, Yogesh.

India today, along with Goa too, has good diplomatic relations with Portugal.

They are all members of the United Nations. Such a body did not exist 500 hundred years ago.Portugal supports Indias membership as a permanent member to the United Nations Security Council.

Yogesh`s initial article questioned the dis-respect shown to the Freedom Fighters in comments that were made about them. He must begin to understand that we now live in a Democracy, where some will agree with the Ships arrival and purpose and others will disagree. That is our fundamental right.

If 80% of the FF`s are fake, as per Yogesh himself, who majority views is he choosing to defend?

It was not the real Freedom Fighters that were being criticised…..it was most definitely the fakes. Most Goans have an issue about the proven fakes.

The question that Goans ask, and rightfully so is: was Liberation Good for Goa.?

As far as Yogesh is concerned….it was, as it gave us a jewel.., the RTI Act. Approx. 45 years after Liberation.

I doubt Yogesh can distinguish a difference between Civilisations of the past and civilisations present. They are both the same, based on his, prejudices jurisprudence & comical justifications.

The World 500 years ago, had no Political systems as we know it today. There were no pre-defined borders.

Rulers, 500 hundred years ago were Dynastic Emperors’, Kings & Queens, and Dictators.If anyone complained…they would be hanged, garrotted, guillotined, burnt at the stakes, or fed to the Lions.

India had a very large share of Emperors’, Kings & Queens. All, at some point in history, were at each other’s throats. All of them, colonising and invading each other’s subjects, or religious beliefs.

Nazism, as per Yogesh, I suppose, is not a form of a “Crusade”, Invasion or Ideological & doctrinal colonisation.

Every Political system, regimes, forms of governance of the past, in every country as we know it in the modern world, have had a fair share of atrocities, wars, invasions, colonisations etc. Why is Portugal only being singled out. Portugal colonised Goa…the British, the majority of India. I do not hear about protests in what was British India. Why is it so?.

Since we are all Indians now, shouldn`t we condemn and protest at both, the British and Portuguese “forever more”.  I do not hear many protests from the Indian Side (British) of the divide. Why?

Both Colonizers have left India with a huge legacy.What have the Freedom Fighters of Goa left us with?...the RTI…highlighted by Yogesh. Is that not comical, to say the least.

Portuguese Churches, which existed side by side with Goa`s Temples are World heritage sites which earn huge Tourist revenue.

What is the current motive of the Goa Freedom Fighters?...unjustified taxpayers Money, Fear, political muscle,? Hasn`t the world moved on.?...or are we living in some sort of a Freedom Fighters time warp or suspension of TIME. circa 1961

In 20 years’ time, many of the FF`…fake and real, will have died and passed away into history. Who will be protesting about the arrival of NRP Sagres, when it re-enacts a sea voyage, if ever? Perhaps Yogesh!!!

Today Goa is slowly being decimated, inch by inch, minute by minute. There is a new form of colonisation taking place, right under the eyes of the freedom fighters and right at their doorstep too.

Goa`s new colonisers are, whether Yogesh agrees or not, or again chooses to skate around the truth and beat around the bush…, are the, Corrupt Politicians, Real estate companies, mining companies, hoteliers, un-controlled migration,Ghettoes & Nagars etc.

Yogesh is more concerned about the historical crimes committed by the Portuguese than by the current and far more severe crimes committed by Goa`s Politicians’, under the questionable “Freedoms” and “Liberty” won by the FFs.

Politics in Goa today is a family run business. It is a profit & loss based business operated by the likes of Churchills, Ranes, Monserattes etc.

There is one law for the rich and mighty and another for the poor. Let’s blame it on the Portuguese, while the Freedom fighters have gone to sleep or are having a long, Political siesta.

The Governor today feels the RTI should not apply to him, but only to the Citizens he has been appointed to oversee. It could be called freedom and impunity & exemption from justice and due process of law.

Corruption, land grabbing and other nefarious activities now permeates every nook and corner of the fabric of Goa. This is of no concern to the Freedom Fighters. Burgling Churches and Temples on a daily or weekly basis is a sort of Political freedom and democratic right won by the FF`s.

Is this not another form of Colonisation?

The NRP Sagres came and went. It has sailed off into history again.

If this is all the FFs could protest about, it is rather a shame, as their liberation has brought or is bringing a slow death to Goa. Let us not blame the Freedom Fighters for their ineffectiveness, as it will upset Yogesh. Let’s blame the Portuguese.

So I hope Yogesh understands, if ever he can, that we will give respect when it is due and earned.. not when it is demanded by his comical and ridiculous historical versions.

Note: Yogesh can reply…but I have no further desire to respond to blatant fools.

Goa should be a Progressive state? Part 1,2,3 etc..Oh yes…when Yogesh Marathe takes us backwards in time….and with no consensus for the future.

Who are you fooling and deceiving Mr Yogesh Marathe? Do not try to “pull wool over our eyes”. You are no Niz-Goenkar (EDITOR TAKE NOTE).

PORTUGUESE LEGACY IN GOA by Dr. Francis Colaco

It is imperative therefore that we exorcise ourselves, first and foremost, from the demons of hatred and unforgiveness that hang within us. As grown-ups it is also high time we squarely accept the blame that rests on us for the present chaos in Goa. Moreover, a healthy society doesn’t regale in the opening up of past wounds.

Until his death two years ago, at least twice a week, I would spend my evenings with an elderly friend of mine, the departed Fabião da Costa, from Seraulim, Salcete. To chat with him was such an edifying experience! Though Fabião vouched he was an agnostic, he held a religious outlook on life that could put many of us to shame. A gentleman wizened with age and wisdom, he always stood by his principles and values. Love and respect for one’s neighbour was always uppermost in his mind.

Fabião was a hero of the fight for Goa’s freedom and spent four long years in prison. He turned down a comfortable home life of luxury to live in a prison cell - to free Goa from the repressive Portuguese regime. He never claimed any goodies for himself or his children. But, he often confessed, he was a disillusioned man.

Once he even confided: “You know doctor, I sometimes feel ashamed of calling myself a freedom-fighter seeing what is happening today. Never did we think we were making such sacrifices for the present-day greedy politicians to turn Goa into a stable”.

Portuguese Legacy

Many like Fabião fought bravely against the despotic Portuguese regime. And with good reason. But were the Portuguese uniformly bad? “Give the dog a bad name before you hang him”, goes the saying. And that’s precisely what is being done today to the Portuguese Legacy in our Bhangarachem Goem.

Eventually, I know, Portuguese lore here is going to be a thing of the past. Misunderstood and unsung, Portuguese culture will eventually die from an inflicted, unnatural death. Not that the gravediggers will never try to revive its dead body.

Tomorrow, with the economy collapsing and the tourist influx dwindling, many will regret having killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. But then it will be too late! Goa will have lost its identity forever. We will no more be seen as “the pluralistic society”, or, as “the confluence of three millenary cultures, the Indian, the Latin and the Anglo-Saxon”.

And, on that day, many will shed crocodile tears.

What is Legacy? It may be pertinent to ask. It is obviously something that is handed down to us by our predecessors. And that clearly includes the good and the bad. It is a fact of life that there’s nothing that is so bad that does not have a “good” side to it, and vice versa. And if that is so, could Portuguese Legacy lag far behind? Or is it that the legacy under consideration is the only abhorrent monster that there is?

It is not uncommon to see strong criticism being meted out to the Portuguese from various quarters. But what pains me the most is that such unwarranted barrage, more often than not, comes from people who until yesterday were dancing the vira with the Portuguese.

Why is bitter criticism often being leveled against the Portuguese? It is not difficult to understand that such an attitude is born of the reality that the Portuguese came here as conquerors. Not only did they thrust upon us a colonial political regime but, what is more, they forced upon us their customs, their culture, their lore and much more. And regrettably, our genuine freedom fighters, during the liberation struggle, were made to suffer a lot at the hands of a repressive regime.

The Plus Side

But, to be fair, the Portuguese also brought in a lot of good things: their manners, their art, their architecture, their beautiful language, the civil code, their romantic songs and a lot more. Even at the height of the liberation struggle there was a saying “Hate Portugal, not the Portuguese”. Unlike the British who were haughty and isolated themselves in ivory towers, the Portuguese were courteous, friendly and mingled easily with the locals.

Permit me now to recount a personal story as I remember Heitor with saudades. He was an officer in the Portuguese army and we became good friends. Full of life, he sang beautifully, and was at his best when our musical group “Tuna Académica” provided him the accompaniment. After the takeover of Goa by the Indian Army, Heitor was placed in a concentration camp, but sadly, for reasons I still can’t fathom, I failed to pay him a visit when he needed me the most. One day, two women of ill fame (the so-called prostitutes, “scum of the earth”), who ironically had remained loyal to Heitor unlike me, came knocking at my door. “Heitor wanted to see me urgently”, they said. “Could I please make it possible”? Ashamed and embarrassed, I rushed to Ponda, where Heitor was lodged. By then, it was too late. After going through a lot of humiliation at the hands of the Indian Army, he and his colleagues had at last been repatriated to Portugal. I hope and pray, even to this day, in my heart of hearts, that Heitor will have forgiven me (though I must confess I never heard from him again). Now, when I lay hands on my guitar, and strum the chords of his favorite song “Pepita”, tears come rolling down from my eyes. And I am reminded with nostalgia of him and the lovely Portuguese friends we had. And above all of the “lesson in forgiveness” a humble but loving Portuguese soldier chose to teach me. And in the treasure trove of my memory I preserve Heitor’s sacrifice as a shining sample of “Portuguese legacy”.

Portuguese bashing

Anti-Portuguese sentiments (I say this with a good deal of sadness) have been unfortunately worked up into frenzy for some time now, since the MG took over, to polarize Goans. After the advent of the BJP, a systematic campaign was unleashed to “demolish” the Portuguese. CM Parrikar’s oft-repeated statement “Our Heritage is only what we received from the pre-Portuguese period” contributed significantly to further whip up anti-Portuguese sentiments.

Surprisingly, people whom I know and who swore by “their Portuguese legacy” until yesterday, were now shouting from their rooftops demanding that the last vestiges of Portuguese culture in Goa must disappear. Whipping up communal sentiments, further, they chose to nickname Catholics as a group, with the “derogatory” words: “Portuguese People”, conveniently forgetting that, as far as patriotism and Indian-ness is concerned, Catholics are second to none.

Let’s move ahead

Could we make a resolve? Let the badmouthing cease henceforth. A line must be drawn before letting our emotions take off as far as Portuguese legacy is concerned.

Years ago, after liberation, I remember, disgruntled elements razed to the ground Afonso de Albuquerque’s statue in Goa. They rightly said that this despot, the most contemptible symbol of the Portuguese empire, had no right to be atop a pedestal.

But later, when the Camões statute was also destroyed it was more difficult to accept their reasoning. Camões, was the poet par excellence rated amongst the best in the world, his work transcending man-made barriers and all human frontiers as well. The acts of vandalism sometime ago in the city of Panjim, allegedly with the tacit approval of the higher-ups, were also abominable and reflect a deeper malaise. Having taken place on the Revolution Day, in an attempt to lend credibility to a group that must have contributed precious little toward the freedom struggle, it is a matter of shame and concern to all.

But what seems to border on the absurd is the present despicable act by a few worthies to “exorcise” the water bed under the Portuguese M/V Sagres that docked here in Goa for a few days. “Evil spirits had to be exorcised”, the zealots said. Miserably such worthies fail to realize that evil spirits (whether from Portugal or elsewhere) also travel by land and air; what is more, at supersonic speed.

It is imperative therefore that we exorcise ourselves, first and foremost, from the demons of hatred and unforgiveness that hang within us. As grown-ups it is also high time we squarely accept the blame that rests on us for the present chaos in Goa. Moreover, a healthy society doesn’t regale in the opening up of past wounds.

All said and done, it’s time to rejoice. Fifty years of freedom from the Portuguese rule are definitely a time to celebrate. But, side-by-side let’s admit, it’s also time for reflection, stock-taking and introspection.

BOBBY FARELL OF BONEY M FAME DIES AGED 61

MOSCOW: The charismatic frontman of Boney M, Bobby Farrell, has died on tour in St Petersburg after finishing a gig despite medical concerns.  The 61-year-old, who brought the Caribbean carnival tradition of his native Aruba to western pop, had complained of breathing problems before and after the show.

Alfonso Farrel alias Bobby Farell o

"He did a show last night as part of Bobby Farrell's Boney M and they found him this morning dead in his hotel room," agent John Seine told Reuters. "He did not feel well last night and was having problems with his breathing, but he did the show anyway." The cause of death was not immediately released.

John Seine, said that "heart problems, shortage of breath and problems with his stomach" had plagued the performer for 10 years, but had never dented his love of performing live. A natural showman, Farrell made slick dance routines and exotic costumes as much a part of Boney M appearances as the music.

The most famous person to come out of Aruba – a tiny island nation which along with Curacao and Sint Maarten are part of the Netherlands – he towered over the women who took the other three places in the group. His signing in 1975 gave a new lease of life to an odd collective, which primarily performed to music pre-recorded by the German singer and composer Frank Farian.

The group, which formed in West Germany in the late 1970s, was put together by German record producer Frank Farian, best known for assembling the musicians who sang the vocals for sham 1990s pop duo Milli Vanilli. Farian, who made a career out of ghostwriting songs, was unable to make it as a singer, but when his tune "Baby Do You Wanna Bump" became a hit in 1976 under the stage name Boney M, he hired Farrell to act as the lead "singer" of the group.

Farrell was seldom involved in studio recordings of the group's many hits such as Rivers of Babylon and Brown Girl in the Ring. His forte was live performance, when his sometimes ragged voice worked well and his movements were a whirl of bare midriff, tight bell-bottoms, huge afro hair-do and spidery reach and height.

"I like to look good on stage and to release all my energy in my shows," he said on his website recently. "The energy in my music has no limit. I want people to feel entertained and to hear the love that I have for creating music, translated into my songs."

Farrell was involved in a succession of dramatic splits and makeups with Farian, leaving the group more than once after allegations of unreliability. But his career continually reignited after initial stardom in the 1970s, and he barnstormed the international concert circuit in the 1990s and the first decade of this century.

"He was a fantastic person, quite bizarre," said Seine. "He had a big heart but he was also explosive."

Born Alfonso Farrell, he was brought up amid Aruba's rich musical combination of carnival songs and processions, mixed with religious ceremonies from the Dutch colonial era. He left school at 15 to work as a sailor, but jumped ship in Norway and set himself up as a DJ.

Modest success took him to Germany where he was spotted by Farian, who had invented Boney M as a pseudonym, taken from an Australian TV series. Music was Farian's strength but he needed a sexy and attention-catching cast to present curiosities such as Baby Do You Wanna Bump, which he recorded entirely himself in 1974, singing both deep bass and falsetto parts.

Though former exotic male dancer Farrell and fellow Boney members Marcia Barrett and Liz Mitchell sang live during concerts, Farrell's vocals were largely absent from their biggest hits, including "Daddy Cool," "Sunny," "Ma Baker," "Rivers of Babylon" and "Rasputin." The group was well-received and scored a string of hits in Europe and Russia, but never really crossed over to the United States. They sold 80 million albums in their heyday and 1978's "Rivers of Babylon"/"Brown Girl in the Ring" is still the fifth-best-selling British single of all time.

Farrell proved his worth with Daddy Cool, which was Britain's number one for five weeks in 1978, the same year as Rivers of Babylon made the top spot. His own Boney M team played to wild acclaim up to his death, with an Abba-like repertoire of past golden hits to sing. Following tours of the United States, Colombia, Turkey, Finland and Slovakia, he was due to release a new album and tour Italy this spring.

By the time the group's fifth studio album, Boonoonoonoos, was released in 1981, Farrell, known as the "King of Disco," had been kicked out and replaced by another singer. Farrell (born Alfonso Farrell in Aruba on October 6, 1949) was slated to perform on New Year's Eve in Italy.

He was found dead by staff at St Petersburg's Ambassador hotel after failing to respond to a wake-up call. A Dutch speaker, he lived near Amsterdam, where he leaves a son and a daughter.

COPS CLUELESS SO FAR IN KUNDAIM MURDER

PONDA: Four days later, and the Ponda police are still looking for clues in the murder of Kundaim resident, Ramesh Gaikwad reported at Manaswadda, Kundaim.

Gaikwad, who was a labour contractor and a native of Maharashtra was residing at Kundaim since last 18 months. He was murdered in his own car by some unknown persons by strangulating his neck; the nylon rope used to commit the offence was found on his person.

“We are trying our best to establish the motive behind the murder. Our investigation revealed that money or robbery was not the cause behind the murder,’’ Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Serafin Dias told this daily.

Mr Dias further said that the movements of two suspects, who were detained for interrogations in connection with the murder case were also not matching and therefore they were set free.

“Within next few days, we are hopeful of a breakthrough in the case,” he assured adding that the family members of Gaikwad, who had left for conducting the final rites in Maharashtra, are still to come.

“Statement of the deceased’s wife will be taken, which also could give some clues in the case,’’ said Ponda police inspector and the investigating officer in the case, Mr C L Patil, adding few more suspects will also be questioned in connection with the case to find out the reasons behind the murder.

It may be recalled that the 30-year-old Gaikwad was found murdered in his own Maruti 800 car bearing registration number GA01 S-0920. A local noticed the car and brought to the attention of the police the body that was lying lifeless on the driver’s seat.

A case of murder, under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code was registered by the Ponda police immediately after the site panchanama.

WHO ARE THE REAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS STILL SURVIVING by Rupert Coutinho, UAE

Of late there are so many debates on who the true freedom fighters are since its been more than 50 years of the forced occupation of Goa by Indian Union and doubts are expressed on the survival or true age of these people. Since freedom fighters registered with government authorities draw allowances/ pensions from the taxpayers, this taxpayers money contributed by Goans should not end up being misused. Native Goans need to reap the benefits of the taxes they pay.

Successive governments in Goa over the past 50 years have honoured and praised the contributions of the so called freedom fighters but since it becoming increasingly evident of some fake names, the government needs to come clean and publish the names and ages (DOB) of these freedom fighters since the native Goans should not be taken for a ride. This will also stop the fake ones from reaping benefits at the expense of the taxpayers. Failure to disclose this information should be dealt with seriously and alternative steps like using the RTI act should be considered.

ENQUIRY AGAINST THREE COPS ON INDICTION BY SPCA

PANJIM: The police department has ordered a disciplinary inquiry against three cops who have been found guilty by the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) of having ''played an active role in a conspiracy'' against a Colva mundkar to deprive the latter of mundkarial rights.

"After receiving the SPCA's report, we asked SP (South) to conduct a preliminary inquiry. During inquiry it was found that there was substantial truth in the allegations and therefore we have ordered a departmental enquiry," said a senior police official.  SPCA had indicted PI Uday Parab, PSI Kapil Naik and constable Arun Rane.

SPCA had asked the police department to initiate disciplinary or criminal proceedings against the three after they were found guilty of serious misconduct, deliberate bending of statutory rules and gross abuse of authority, after hearing a complaint filed by Sebastio and Remetin Lucas from Colva.

Raising questions about the ''crude and inhuman handling'' and ''total lack of professionalism and absolute perversion of the system'' displayed by PI Uday Parab, PSI Kapil Naik and constable Arun Rane, SPCA, led by Justice Eurico Santana da Silva, had observed that the ''respondents have consciously prevaricated in the discharge of their statutory duties and grossly failed to faithfully perform their professional obligations. While doing so they seem to have willingly or unwillingly played an active role in a well-planned conspiracy plotted against the petitioners in order to deprive them of their legitimate rights of mundkarship, in spite of these rights having been judicially acknowledged by the highest court of the state''.

SPCA had observed that there is a "strange mixture of twisted half-truths and untruths" which flow from the statements made by the cops, coupled with a "show of arrogance and irresponsible behaviour", even as there is sufficient evidence to indict all three for "acts of serious misconduct, deliberate bending of the statutory rules of procedure and gross abuse of authority".

In the complaint, the complainants had alleged gross misconduct and abuse of authority by Parab, who was in charge of Colva police station in 2006, Naik and Rane.

Lucas alleged that he was illegally arrested on September 4, 2006 based on a non-cognizable complaint lodged by one Melisa Fernandes, who owns the property on which their mundkarial house is located.

The next day, while attending proceedings in the sub-divisional magistrate's court, they came to know that the Fernandes' were demolishing their mundakrial house and when they tried to lodge a complaint at Colva police station to seek protection and stop the demolition, the police refused to entertain them and their house was razed and belongings completely destroyed.

THREE PERSONS ARRESTED IN MONTE DONGOR RIOTING AND MURDER ATTEMPT CASE

MARGAO: Three persons arrested in Tuesday's attempt to murder and rioting case at Monte Dongor were on Wednesday remanded to six days police custody by a local court here.

Margao police inspector Santosh Desai on Wednesday informed that Lalsab Bashasab Bahur, Anwar Sheikh and Nafisab Bahur have been sent to police custody. The accused had used swords and wooden sticks causing head injuries to the victims. The fourth accused, a minor, was sent to a juvenile home on Tuesday.

Six persons were injured and admitted to Hospicio hospital following group clashes at Monte Dongor on Tuesday evening. A group allegedly intercepted a bus belonging to another group leading to the clashes. Subsequently, police arrested the four accused.

Police said that Tuesday's clash was a fall out of previous enmity between the two groups and have deployed additional police force to avoid any further tension. For the next few days police forces will maintain law and order in the area. More arrests are likely in the next few days, police said. A month ago, a similar clash between two groups was reported from the sensitive area housing a huge migrant population. The civic poll related issues have led to the rivalry.

GOA'S CONGRESS LAW COMMISSION by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Every State Law Commission in the country has been headed by either a retired Supreme Court or High Court Judge.

Against all established norms and practice the Law Commission in Goa is headed by Mr. Ramakant Khalap an active politician who is also a spokesman of the State Congress party besides being the Chairman of the Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank of Goa. That he was charge sheeted in various corruption related cases which were later politically withdrawn is another issue. If the government wanted to politically rehabilitate him with cabinet rank and status they should have found another position rather than degrade the sanctity of the Law Commission. Being a former Union Law Minister is no qualification or criteria to head the State Law Commission. Is this the Goa Law Commission or the Congress Law Commission?

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE AT GOA IS A SCAM IN THE OFFING ALLEGES AIRES

PANJIM: Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today alleged that the proposed International Arbitration Centre at Goa was a major scam in the offing.  Cautioning the Goa Government not to associate or get itself involved with it, Adv. Rodrigues has demanded a thorough probe into the setting up of the proposed International Arbitration Centre by misusing the Law Commission of Goa.

Adv. Rodrigues has sought to know how the Law Commission members could actively associate themselves en bloc to form this private Trust, giving a colour that the International Arbitration Centre is an official entity of the State Government.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the Goa Law Commission has no business to promote and actively participate in the setting up of an international arbitration centre.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the International Arbitration Centre was being set up by a private trust set up by Law Commission Chairman Ramakant Khalap, and commission members Adv. Cleofato Coutinho and Adv. Mario Pinto Almeida.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the fourth member of the trust is one Mr. V.K.Agarwal from Delhi whose profession is also not disclosed in the trust deed

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it was very apparent that the Chairman and members of the Goa Law Commission by misusing their position have formed a private Trust, purely as a commercial enterprise.

Giving further details Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the trust deed under the name “ Goa Organisation for Law Finance and Education” was registered on 25th Nov 2010 under a fictitious registered address on Panjim’s 18th June Road.

Adv. Rodrigues has also alleged that that the Goa Law Commission was sought to be involved in the setting up the International Arbitration Centre to legitimize this planned fraud.

Stating that the Supreme Court had recently expressed concern about the rot in the Judiciary, Adv. Rodrigues has questioned the need of the government to associate itself with a trust which has been set up with alleged ulterior vested motives.

Adv. Rodrigues has urged the State Government not to lend support to this Trust which is purely a private Trust, for achieving its private objectives. He also demanded that no property of the State Government be made available to this Trust over which the Government would have no control.

Adv. Rodrigues also demanded that the State Government should enquire into the functioning of the Law Commission to verify whether its premises and machinery is being misused for the setting up and functioning of this Trust.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that International arbitration is being currently conducted at New Delhi by the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) and the Indian Council of Dispute Resolution (ICADR).

Stating that ICA and ICADR are both societies registered under the Societies registration Act 1860 with their affairs performed with utmost transparency Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the proposed International Arbitration Centre at Goa will be run by a private trust that will be not be accountable to the public.

Adv. Rodrigues has today in letters to Union Law Minister Dr. Veerappa Moily, Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Ferdino Rebello and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat requested them in public interest not to be associated with the inaugural function of the International Arbitration Centre scheduled for January 4th .

THIEVES IMPERSONATE POLICE TO ROB AND LOOT

MARGAO: If a woman was burgled of her bag containing valuables worth over Rs seven lakh at a nuptial ceremony in a Church here on Tuesday evening, another woman became the victim of thieves while on an early morning jog around the Margao municipal garden – just a stone’s throw away from the Margao police headquarters on Wednesday.

Seventy-year old Sangeeta Mohan Redkar was relieved of her gold and other ornaments valued Rs 10 lakhs by miscreants posing as police personnel while she was jogging around the municipal garden on early Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred on early Wednesday morning when Redkar was on her routine early morning jog around the Municipal garden. Police said miscreants posing as policemen approached her while she was as usual jogging around the garden and advised her that it is not safe to wear precious ornaments when burglaries on the rise in the state. They advised her to remove the ornaments and keep them safely on her person.

An unsuspecting Sangeeta is believed to have paid heed to their advise, only to find the miscreants again approaching her after some time and advising her to put her ornaments in a plastic container.

Police said the victim woman did exactly what was advised by the miscreants under the guise of police personnel, but was handed over a container which did not contain her ornaments.

It was only later realisation dawned that the miscreants who approached her were not police personnel but thieves who took advantage of the situation. Three finger rings, besides six gold bangles, and a precious necklace, all worth around Rs 10 lakhs was stolen from the victim woman.

The Margao police has registered a case of theft against unknown miscreants. Incidentally, the Margao police, put on the backfoot over the spate of thefts in the commercial capital, maintained secrecy over the incident, and it was only later in the evening that the daring theft was confirmed by Margao police sub divisional officer, Deputy Superintendent Umesh Gaonkar.

In another development two thieves posing as policemen hoodwinked a housemaid from Mapusa and decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 10,300. According to Mapusa police, the incident took place as Sushila Naik, a housemaid at Gausawado-Mapusa, was proceeding to her residence at Altinho on completion of work in the afternoon. When she reached near the civil court, two men in civil dress stopped her and claimed to be "policemen".

They mentioned that thefts and murders over gold ornaments are on rise in the town and said it was dangerous to move in the town wearing gold ornaments. They advised her to keep her ornaments in her bag and offered her a piece of paper to enclose the gold ornaments.

The housemaid accepted their suggestion in good faith and removed the gold ornaments, worth Rs 10,300, from her body and put them in the piece of the paper. One 'policeman' took those ornaments on the pretext of tying it properly, while his accomplice kept the woman busy in conversation.

The 'policeman' who had taken the gold ornaments exchanged the same with some fake silver ornaments and handed over the paper to the woman. they then advised her to open the paper only on reaching home.

The woman, however, opened the paper after traveling for some distance and was shocked to find that her gold ornaments had been replaced with fake silver ornaments. She then lodged a complaint at the Mapusa police station. Police Sub Inspector Dhawasker is investigating the case.

STORM SUBSIDED BUT IS IN A VERY FRAGILE SHAPE

MARGAO: An uneasy calm prevailed atop the migrant inhabited Monte Dongor locality of the commercial capital throughout Wednesday after Tuesday’s clashes and attacks on women, even as the Margao police charged the assailants for the offence of attempt to murder.

The police have so far arrested four accused persons for attempt to murder and are maintaining a close vigil atop the hillock anticipating retaliation from the rival group.

Victim Maqbool is still convalescing at Hospicio hospital and his supporters and residents have demanded the immediate arrest of accused Bashir Sheikh, the accused in the swords seizure case. The Margao police are on the look out of the remaining accused, including Bashir.

Margao PI Santosh Desai said the police have registered a serious offense of attempt to murder against the eight accused persons. “The police has checked a number of places to nab the accused persons. We are maintaining a close watch on their movements, who are believed to be moving together”, he said.

PI Desai visited the Hospicio hospital on Wednesday noon and assured injured Maqbool that the police would not spare accused Bashir. Maqbool said the residents are angry that the police have been turning a blind eye to complaints made against Bashir and demanded action. “If the police are sincere, they should immediately arrest Bashir and the remaining three persons”, he demanded.

Not ruling out retaliation from the Maqbool group, the police have continued their presence on the hillock on the second day today. “The police is deployed as a precautionary measure. The day passed off peacefully”, remarked PI Desai.

He said the accused arrested in the case Lalsaab Basha, Anwar Shaikh and Nabisaab have been remanded to six days police custody for further investigations, while the fourth accused, a minor, has been sent to the Apna Ghar.

Sources in the know said the police authorities are kept the district administration headed by district Collector, G P Naik informed about the tension and violence on Monte Dongor.  Collector Naik said that the repeated violence and tension is not a healthy sign in the locality and said that the authorities would crack a whip against all anti-social activities on the hillock.

NEW MODUS OPERANDI BY DRUG PEDDLARS TO FOOL POLICE

PANJIM: The drug peddlers have come up with a new strategy to hoodwink the police and continue with their illegal drug trade on the eve of the New Year.

According to sources in the state police department, the drug peddlers now do not carry drugs on their person. Instead, they carry visiting cards and small chits of paper with their contact information written on it. They also carry a pen, informed the cops.

Elaborating on the latest modus operandi employed by the drug peddlers, the police said that these peddlers circulate the chits of paper having their mobile phone number written on it, among the drug addicts. They also give their visiting cards to the drug addicts and to others interested in the illegal trade or even write their phone numbers on the palms of the addicts. The drugs are also supplied by dissolving the same in soft drink bottles, informed the police. In the past, these drug peddlers were caught by police for possessing drugs on their person, sometimes packaged in packets resembling that of painkillers.

A total of 69 drug peddlers have been arrested by the police and this includes 40 Indians and 29 foreign nationals. Among the foreign nationals held, Nigerians top the list followed by Nepalis and Israelis. The total value of drugs seized in the current year is around Rs 1.4 crore and 15 cases are still pending trial while 49 cases are pending investigation.

In 2009, the Anti-Narcotics Cell booked 14 cases while 17 cases were booked at other police stations in the state. The ANC seized a total of 30.785 kg of drugs valued at around Rs 87 lakh in that year while the drugs seized at other police stations in 2009 was 22.410 kg which was worth around Rs 15 lakh. Drug peddler Atala’s arrest brought to light the nexus between police and the drug peddlers and later six policemen attached to the ANC were suspended. However, the Israeli drug peddler escaped from the state after he was released by the court. The state police, however, did a commendable job by bringing to book top drug peddlers in the state’s coastal belt like David Driham alias Dudu and Sadanand Chimulkar alias Bhui.

WHO CREATED THIS SITUATION AT MONTE DONGOR, MIGRANTS OR THE POLITICIAN OF MARGAO?

MARGAO: Who gave the settlement NOC to build a Nagar? Was it Digamber Kamat who reared up the migrants to be his future vote bank is the question asked by the Goans of Margao today. Well the answer is YES this settlement is only with the blessings of Digamber Kamat. Were the Goans asleep when the migrants were gathering in pieces? Digamber Kamat has definitely taken the advantage of the SUSEGAD Goans. Is there any solution or will tension flare up? Goa is slowly changing into another Bihar.

Bitter rivalry between friends-turned-foes amidst signs of political realignment and attempts to establish leadership atop the hillock seems to have brought warring groups in the open at migrant inhabited Monte Dongor.

In fact, the Maqbool and Bashir groups have been at loggerheads with each other since the municipal polls and were involved in a spate of assaults since then. While the Bashir group had supported the cousin brother of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, the Maqbool group had thrown their weight behind Iqbal.

Sources in the know said that Maqbool was once a close friend of Bashir’s bother Jalil before the swords seizure case created fissures in their relationship. It is not out of place to mention here that both Maqbool and Jalil have built posh bungalows next to each other at Monte Dongor.

While reports attributed business rivalry between the two groups, as possible reasons for the standoff between them, the two camps has dismissed all such reports. Maqbool said from the Hospital bed that Bashir has been trying to establish his foothold on Monte Dongor by indulging in dadagiri. “The residents are opposed to Bashir’s dadagiri because of his antecedents. I have landed in trouble in the swords case because of Bashir. That’s the time I severed my ties with Jalil as well”, he said. “I never had any link with Bashir. My friendship was with Jalil. Now, both the brothers are against me because I have exposed Bashir’s criminal activities”, Maqbool added.

Maqbool is into business, owing two buses, a saloon, besides a rickshaw and denied that he has interests in any mining activities.

He admitted that the two brothers could not digest the fact that I and my group supported Iqbal in the Municipal polls against Laxmikant Kamat, cousin brother of the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat.

On the other hand, Bashir’s brother Jalil says the rivalry between the two groups has only intensified during and after the Municipal polls. “What is happening atop the Monte Dongor is the fall out of the elections”, he said.  The police has attributed the flare up on Monte Dongor to an incident that occurred on Monday when accused Ameen from the Bashir group was manhandled by the rival group.

PI Santosh Desai said that the Maqbool group accused Ameen for allegedly spreading defamatory news about a woman in the locality. Incensed over the incident, the Maqbool group along with women questioned Ameen and the matter later reached the police station after he complained of assaults.

PI Desai said the two groups were brought to the police station and they both decided to compromise on the matter. “The matter had ended at the police station on Monday evening. However, Ameen along with Bashir and others attacked Maqbool and others in retaliation for the assault on Monday”, PI Desai added.

The diktat of the elders – the first settlers on the hillock around three decades ago – no longer runs large amongst the youth atop the hillock, so it seems. At one time, elders such as Tara, Maulla and others were deciding on issues affecting the inhabitants, whether political or otherwise. One of the first settlers on the hillock, Tara says the inhabitants had never fought amongst themselves over the last three decades, adding that the violence and rivalry would only give the locality a bad name.

Sources said that Maulla was once a force to reckon with amongst the minority community, but now youth such as Jalil, Bashir, Maqbool and others have their own pockets of influence on the hillock.

The Margao police have come under the scanner as both the groups have charged the men-in-uniform for not initiating action on time against anti-social elements.  Maqbool said that repeated police inaction to crack a whip has only emboldened Bashir to unleash a reign of terror on Monte Dongor.

This group, which had supported a candidate against the cousin brother of the Chief Minister, feels that the police have not acted promptly to nip the trouble in the bud.  On the other hand, the rival group also feels that the police did not act sternly against the anti-socials for damaging two-wheelers owned by members of the Bashir group.

Margao PI Santosh Desai said that the police can initiate action only as per the law and not beyond. “We have acted on complaints received from the two groups by registering cases, which are under investigations”, he said, and declined to comment on the general perception that the police fear is no more felt atop the hillock due to the patronage enjoyed by one group.

ARCHBISHOP OF GOA SAYS CHURCH READY TO PROMOTE DIGNITY OF MAN

PANJIM: Assuring that the Church in Goa will only be too glad to offer its collaboration in the building of a society that sincerely and genuinely promotes the dignity of the human being, religious freedom and cultural harmony as well as peace and justice for everyone.

The Archbishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrão on Wednesday said that the country and the state presently faces threat to the minority communities, even though minorities do not represent a threat to the identity of the majority but rather form an opportunity for dialogue and mutual cultural enrichment.

Delivering an address at the annual civic reception on the occasion of Christmas held at the Archbishop’s House, the Archbishop said that the growing number of communal riots and pogroms, mostly politically motivated, is only one aspect of this sad deterioration of cherished human and democratic values.

The Governor, Dr S S Sidhu, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, Ms Asha Kamat, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar and Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves were present at the annual civic reception.

Speaking further, the Archbishop said that right from the United Nations Organisation to various parliaments, legislative assemblies, municipal corporations and village councils like our panchayats, there are vast opportunities for people to sit at a common table and discuss matters of common interest, which work for the common welfare of the human community. “All this is nothing but a profound expression of the deep-seated human longing for unity, a longing that was placed in the heart of man by God himself, a longing that, as I said before, was made his own by Jesus Christ,” he added, bemoaning “Unfortunately, these very structures of participation run the risk of being seen as and effectively becoming tools in the hands of a few to wield their power over the community of nations and of national and state communities, instead of being genuine community empowering instruments.”

“They then become institutions that ignore and silence the minorities, and invest power and legitimacy on a few who dictate terms of governance, sometimes to the point of unsettling the very process of participation,” the Archbishop lamented, pointing out that we have had such cases even in our country, which prides to be the largest democracy in the world.

“I am deeply aware that both, in our country and in our own state, so famous for its communal harmony, meetings and even large conventions take place sometimes with the sole aim of disturbing the inter-religious peace and harmony existing amidst our citizens,” the Archbishop observed, further noting, “It is as if some people will not be at peace until peace is disturbed.” “Can we, responsible citizens and particularly those entrusted with governance, allow that such programmes are executed in blatant defiance to the spirit of our Constitution,” he questioned.

Speaking about the festival of Christmas, the Archbishop said that Christmas has been increasingly taking on a cultural and social dimension that surpasses even religious barriers, as we find people of various social and religious affiliations taking part in Christmas shopping. “Christmas, however, can never be a purely cultural or social event as it is fundamentally a Christ-related event, as its very name suggests: an event which has marked profoundly the course of our human history and has brought about a growing realisation of the need to promote the oneness of humankind.” “Indeed, the genuine development of people depends on this important recognition: that the human race is a single family working together in true communion for its common good,” he maintained.

Earlier, the dignitaries lighted a lamp to mark the occasion. Fr Loyola Pereira welcomed, while Noel Barreto read out a passage from the Holy Bible. A dance performance accompanied by a bhajan was presented on the occasion. The evening also witnessed a skit, ‘Christmas in April and Everyday’ and Christmas Carols presented by Santa Cecilia Choir from Rachol Seminary. Ms Crystal Lobo compered.