OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Stating that the he would handover the drug nexus case to CBIonly if there is consensus amongall parties, Home Minister RaviNaik today said the case is noth-ing but a hype created by mediaand political parties are tryingto gain free publicity out of it.

Addressing a press conferenceNaik, whose son has been linkedto drug trade, said the Govern-

ment will hold an all-party meeton the issue.

We will discuss this at an all-party meeting and only if needbe we will hand over the caseto CBI, he said.

He further ques-t ioned the CBI scredibility in solving the cases.

Four years ago we handedover a case of misappropriationfunds for IFFI 2004 and gavethem total evidence but still

they are unable to solve it, hesaid.

Naik also said that the drugscase was of no consequence andonly a result of media hype.

He also said theOpposition BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and

the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) are raising the drug nexuscase only because it gave thempublicity in the media.

Whats there in the drug

nexus case? I dont think thereis anything great, the homeminister said.

The political parties are rais-ing the issue to gain free pub-licity. It costs (them) money togive advertisements in themedia. By talking about drugs,they get free publicity, Naiksaid adding also as electionsare closing in the parties haveto show their high command

Business: State Cos not to bid

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Sports: Saina enters

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early from rehab Pg 11

Highway landacquisition put on hold

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Based on the assurance givenby the Chief Minister DigambarKamat in the Assembly, the Gov-ernment today put on hold theland acquisition for the expan-sion of NH17 and NH4A.

A letter to the Project Directorof the National Highways Au-thority of India, by the undersecretary (Rev I) PandharinathNaik says that the land acquisi-tion is temporarily put on hold.

I am directed to convey theGovernment decision that theland acquisition proceedings ofNH-17 and NH4A shall be tem-porarily kept on hold till theissue of alignment is sorted out,says the letter.

The chief minister had re-cently announced setting up ofa committee which will look intothe grievances of the people.

The committee, which hasrepresentatives of NHAI, PWD,land survey, revenue departmentas members, is expected to sub-mit its report by August 31.

The report would then besubmitted to the Union Ministerfor necessary changes, the chiefminister had said.

ON PAGE 4Chinchinim localsdemand bypass

All-party meet to decide on CBI probe: Ravi

PTI

NEW DELHI, AUG 25

After Prime Minister Manmo-han Singh had begged to itto unanimously pass the con-troversial nuclear liability bill,the Lok Sabha tonight gave itsapproval to the measure with18 amendments that will nowenable the Government to donuclear commerce with theworld.

Ending months of wranglingbetween Treasury Benches andthe Opposition, the House todaypassed the Civil Liability for Nu-clear Damages Bill after Govern-ment dropped the contentiousprovision of intent in case ofaccidents, adopting a BJPamendment.

I beg of this House to passthis bill with unanimity, thePrime Minister said in a briefbut spirited intervention appeal-ing to the House for a bipartisanapproach.

The bill was adopted by theHouse by a voice vote after itrejected a CPI(M) amendmentthat sought to fix the liabilitycap on operators in case of ac-cidents at Rs.10,000 crore in-stead of the Rs.1,500 croreproposed in the measure.

The House nod came not be-fore Prime Minister ManmohanSingh made a spirited interven-tion in the four-hour debate re-

jecting allegations that the billwas brought to advance the in-terests of the United States andits corporations.

He described the measure asa completion of journey to endapartheid against India in thefield of atomic power.

The CPI(M) amendment wasnegatived in a division pressedby its Parliamentary Party leaderBasudeb Acharya with 252 vot-ing against and 25 voting forit.

A total of 18 official amend-ments were adopted by theHouse including the one the re-phrased clause 17(b) which readthe nuclear incident has re-sulted as a consequence of anact of supplier or his employee,which includes supply of equip-ment of material with patent orlatent defects or sub-standardservices.

The BJPs support, which wasarticulated by senior memberJaswant Singh, came after theofficial amendment reflected theformulation of the amendmentproposed by him.

The original version of theamendment had come undersharp attack from the BJP andLeft parties as it provided forproving the intent of a supplierof causing an accident if an op-erator were to claim compen-sation.

LS passesnuke bill DRUG NEXUS

The rst step, my son, which onemakes in the world, is the one on which

depends the rest of our days. Voltaire

(Continued on page 2)

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GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 2010

GOA Pg 2OHERALD

O

More oBITUArIeS oN pAge 10

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Already jinxed National High-wayNH4A expansion has facedanother setback with StateWildlife Board (SWB) risingqueries on the road passingthrough Bhagwan MahavirWildlife Sanctuary.

The special meeting of SWB,called today raised objection tothe expansion of road and de-manded that a detail report ofthe project to be submitted tothe committee.

The members of NationalHighway Authority of India(NHAI) had attended the meet-ing with their presentation.However, the members of boarddid not allow the presentationand asked for the detail projectreport, Additional PrincipalChief Conservator of Forest, DrShashi Kumar told Herald.

Kumar said that the boardwants to study the environmen-

tal impact of road expansion onthe sanctuary. The forest de-partment has not yet given NOCto the NHAI to carry out expan-sion, he confirmed.

NH4A of 11 kilometers lengthis passing through the BhagwanMahavir sanctuary on left handside while National Park at theleft hand.

Approximately, it will cover13.8 ha of sanctuary and 7.9 haarea of national park, he said.

Kumar said that the land forthe expansion has been demar-cated by the authority; howeverthe final decision would betaken only by the NationalWildlife Board.

The special meeting waschaired by Minister for Forestand vice chairman of SWB FilipNery Rodrigues as the chairmanChief Minister Digamber Kamatcould not make it.

The meeting also decidedthat the protection of Window

Pan Oisters to Chicalim bay willcontinue in a way that it shouldnot affect the livelihood of thelocals.

The board decided to extendthe protection to this area with-out disturbing the normal life,Dr Kumar said.

The forest departments rec-ommendation to have morenumber of tourist vehicles atDudsagar was also approved bythe board on a condition to havefull proof criteria while givingmore permits.

Currently, there are 98 localtourist vehicles registered withthe forest department. Theywant to include seven more,APCCF cleared.

This is the fifth special meet-ing called by SWB.

The report of the meeting willbe soon forwarded to Kamatasking to have yet another spe-cial meeting on immediatebases.

State Wildlife Board objects to NH4A expansion, seek details

Johnrefused

bail again HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

The Bombay High Court atGoa today rejected bail plea ofJohn Fernandes, a South Goabased politician arrested for al-legedly raping a Russian girl atColva.

Justice Nelson Britto rejectingthe bail stated that the courtcannot grant bail to the accusedas the victim is yet to be exam-ined by the lower court.

25-year-old Russian girl will de-pose before the South Goa SessionCourt in December, 2010.

Justice Britto during the hear-ing had also pointed out thatthere are chances that the ac-cused will threaten the victimif the bail is granted.

At the time of hearing, PublicProsecutor had brought to theCourt notice that the victimfriend, who is the key witnessin the case, was manipulated bythe accused.

ex-Shiroda MLA is dead

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

Former MLA and city Business-man, Krishnanath Baburao Naikpassed away on Wednesdaynoon after a brief illness. Hewas 80 and is survived by hiswife Vrunda and children.

Popularly known as K B Naik,he was elected as Member ofthe Legislative Assembly in 1968in the by-elections held for theShiroda constituency.

He was the vice-president ofthe MGP and headed variouspolitical and socio-cultural or-ganizations in the state. His mor-tal remains will be consigned toflames at the Pajifond cremato-rium on Thursday at 11 am.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

What is holding back the HomeDepartment (HD) from takingaction against off-shore casinosthat are operating illegally whichwere asked to shift from theirpresent location to outer an-chorage at Aguada Bay aboutyear and half ago.

The Captain of Ports (CoP) hasnot renewed NOCs granted tooff-shore casinos for plying inthe Mandovi River and has putthe ball in the court of HD.

In a written communiqu tothe HD the CoP has made it clearthat it is for HD to initiate actionagainst illegal off-shore casinoswhich is a licensing authority.Since off-shore casinos are op-erational only on validity of NOCfrom the CoP, it is incumbent

on HD to act, says officer fromCoP who did not want to benamed.

Under Secretary (Home II) Sid-hivinayak Naik, was not con-tactable. Except for casino M VBoe Sorte, NOCs of other fiveoff shore casinos have expiredand it means they cannot oper-ate although presently only twocasinos are actually into busi-ness. Casino, M V Caravella hasstopped its operation while oth-ers are closed for repairs.

The issue was raked up in theassembly earlier this monthwhen Oppos i t ion LeaderManohar Parrikar questionedthe State Government as to whyno action was taken eventhough there was no court orderrestraining it.

The casinos operators are be-

fore High Court wherein theyhave challenged the govern-ments decision asking them toshift from their present loca-tion.

By order dated March 12,2009 the High Court hadrecorded the statement madeby the advocate general to theeffect that in the meanwhile noaction would be taken pursuantto impugned communication.

However, Parrikar had pointedout that the AGs statement wasvalid for a limited period andthe government was now freeto take action.

Upon which Chief MinisterDigambar Kamat had assuredthe House to study the issuein totality. But it seems the gov-ernment is yet to make anymove on this count.

Are off-shore casinos beyond State ambit?

Now, curbs on televisioncameramen?

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

After issuing an order intendingto crack a whip against unreg-istered channels, it now appearsthat cameramen of TV channelswill have to first obtain Babas(Chief Ministers) permission be-fore covering meetings orevents.

This impression given by aPersonal security Officer (PSO)of Chief Minister, DigambarKamat when newsmen con-verged at his Malbhat residenceon Wednesday morning to coverthe joint meeting the chief min-ister had with Margao traders,MMC Chairperson and the or-ganisers of the exhibition-cum-sales.

A TV cameraman, who en-tered the office of the chief min-ister to cover the deliberations,was told by Kamats PSO Jeetuthat he cannot cover themeeting without prior per-mission.

Have you sought permissionfrom Baba to record the meet-ing? I cannot allow you to con-tinue the recordings withoutBabas permission, the PSOpoint blank told the TV channelcameraman.

Taken aback by the PSOsstern message, the cameramanswitched off his camera, only toswitch on to take the byte ofthe chief minister when he wasabout to leave his residence inhis official car to Panjim.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

Chief Minister Digambar Kamaton Wednesday came out tostrongly bat for Margaos NewMarket Traders over the demandto ban exhibitions-cum-sales atthe BPS club grounds.

Following Chief Ministersstrong and overt support to thetraders, the Margao MunicipalCouncil this evening rejectedthe application for the exhibi-tion-cum-sale scheduled at theBPS ground on August 27.

The Chief Minister today hada joint meeting with a delega-tion of the market traders, Mar-gao Municipal Council and theorganizers of the exhibition overthe question of banning exhibi-tions-cum-sales in the city.

The traders told the ChiefMinister during the meeting thatthe exhibition-cum-sales at theBPS club has badly hit their busi-ness and demanded a ban onthe activity.

Led by president of New mar-ket Traders Association, VinodShirodkar, the traders said thesale at the BPS club premisescauses acute traffic congestionin the locality and recalled thatthe district Collector, south G PNaik had directed the Civic bodynot to grant permission to theBPS club to hold exhibitions un-less they make parking arrange-ments at the venue.

We have no objection to ex-hibitions, but the traders are

MMC rejects sale at BPS Club after CM backs traders

The New market traders led by President Vinod Shirodkar after the meeting with the Chief Minister,Digambar Kamat.. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

opposed to sales as the activityhas adversely hit our business,he said and warned that thetraders would be forced to takethe law in their hands if the Civicbody fails to stop the exhibi-tions-cum-sales.

The organizers submitted tothe Chief Minister that they havealready made arrangements forthe August 27 exhibition-cum-

sale at the BPS club venue andsought the goa-ehad nod fromthe Civic body.

After the meeting, the ChiefMinister later categorically toldnewsmen that it is his respon-sibility to protect the interestsof the local traders. Since thenew market traders have op-posed the exhibitions-cum-salesat the BPS, it is my responsibility

to protect the interest of thelocal traders, he asserted.

When contacted, Margao Mu-nicipal Chairperson SavioCoutinho said the CM at themeeting spoke about the lawand order situation if permissionis granted to the exhibition-cum-sale, and asked newsmen to con-tact the Chief Officer Y B Tawdefor more details.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

The State Government hasdone little or nothing to imple-ment the Medical PractitionersBill 2004 one of the aims ofwhich was to curb quackery.Sadly, rules for its implementa-tion were never framed.

Painting a grim picture of thelaw Dr Gladstone DCosta of Vol-

No sign of Medical practitioners Bill

untary Health Association ofGoa, which is seized of the issue,says as per procedure the billshouldve come for ratificationafter which rules are framed. Asthis was not done six monthsafter the bill was passed it hasautomatically become obsoleteallowing quacks to flourish inthe State, he adds ruefully.

Sources in the know disclosedmedical ethics and disciplinarycommittee of the Goa MedicalCouncil had taken a firm standagainst the issue by taking somefirm steps in 2006. The commit-tee did an extensive survey ofquacks starting from Valpoi andthen followed it up with Honda,Sanquelim, Mulgaon, Assonoraand fell short of Mapusa, theyrecall. Raids were carried out atValpoi and some of these places,they mention.

The sources add further,However, the stand taken bythe then chairman of the disci-plinary committee of the councildidnt go well with a ministerfrom Sattari who was responsi-ble for sacking him from the po-sition in 2007. However, thedoctor had managed to identifysome 41 quacks. Summons wereissued and some of these were

made to give undertakings.Dr Gladstone says nothing

much has been happening sincethen and the quacks continueto make merry in the State.VHAG in a report on quackerymention attempts by authoritiesto catch the quack have beenin vain because these have po-litical clout.

The doctor further adds thatanother major issue that remainto be looked into is cross prac-tise. I mention this to attractattention to ayurvedic doctorsprescribing homoeopathic med-icines. These are also quacks,he mentions.

VHAG has asked people toensure that ayurvedic doctorsprescribe only ayurvedic medi-cines and the homoeopath rec-ommends on l y homeoremedies.

It states that the State Gov-ernment was also party to thecrime because the Goa StateAids Control Society had traineda few ayurvedic and homoeo-pathic doctors to prescribe al-lopathic medicines for those inhigh risk group of acquiring HIVto treat sexually transmitted dis-eases and opportunistic infec-tions.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

Employees of the South Goa Ad-ministrator of Communidadeson Wednesday resorted to anindefinite pen down strike inprotest against the non-paymentof salaries for the last fourmonths.

Later in the evening, the ag-grieved employees withdrewtheir strike following directionsfrom the government and as-surance that their matter isunder consideration.

A fax message from UnderSecretary, Revenue was sent tothe employees to call of thestrike immediately.

This morning, the employeesbegan their strike demandingthat the government absorbthem in government service hav-ing worked in the organizationfor many years.

The employees had threat-ened to continue their strike tillthe government clear their

salaries dues of the last fourmonths. We were forced to re-sort to the pen down strike toget our demands for absorptionin government service and pay-ment of salaries for the last fourmonths. The government shouldclear our salary before Ganeshfestival, he said.

The employees initially main-tained that the strike will con-tinue till their demands are metand appealed to Revenue Min-ister to solve their long-pendinggrievances.

Communidade staffwithdraw strike after

govt intervention nThe aggrievedemployeeswithdrew theirstrike followingdirections fromthe governmentand assurancethat their matteris underconsideration.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, AUG 25

The education departmenthas stated that urgent main-tenance and repairs will becarried out at the Govern-m e n t P r i m a r y S c h o o l a tBhati-Sanguem.

Responding to a Herald reporthighlighting the condition atthe Government Middle Schoolat Bhati, the Education Depart-ment clarified that Std VI stu-dents were not attending classesin a bathroom, but admittedthat they were studying in astoreroom.

In a press note releasedthrough the Department of In-formation and Publicity, the ed-ucation department stated that"the estimate of Rs 6,24,830 forthe work of urgent maintenanceand repairs of GPS Bhati ,Sanguem is received from theExecutive Engineer Div XIV(Bldgs). The administrative ap-proval and expenditure sanctionorder is issued for the same onAugust 9."

"The GMS Bhati has twoschool buildings and the schoolis functioning in two shifts. Dur-

ing the morning session, StdsV, VI & VII are attending theclasses and in afternoon sessionstudents of Stds I, II, III & IV areattending the classes."

"One of the school buildingwhich is 30 years old needsmajor repairs. The school is in-cluded in the list submitted to

education dept to take up repairs of Bhati school

the GSIDC for construction ofnew building," stated the pressnote.

The department stated thatPWD engineers had visited theschool premises and after inspec-tion, had instructed the headmasterof the school not to conduct theclasses in the building which needsurgent repairs.

"As per instructions, the head-master of the school called themeeting of PTA members, whichdecided to house Std VI studentsin the room which was used asa storeroom."

"The storeroom has half-fittedwalls tiles, but there is no tapconnection in that room andhence, it is not a bathroom," thepress note added.

The education departmentalso denied claims that studentsof different classes were madeto sit in the same place.

"The students are made tostudy in the second building

which is partitioned by usingcupboards. Hence, it is not cor-rect to state that they sit to-gether jointly. They attend theclasses in a classroom which ispartitioned," the press notestated.

Acting on a report from theADEI on February 19 that theother school building is not ingood condition and needs minorrepairs, the education depart-ment had requested the Execu-tive Engineer PWD Div. XVI tovisit the school and prepare theestimate.

"The estimate of Rs 6,24,830for the work of urgent mainte-nance and repairs of GPS Bhati,Sanguem is received from theExecutive Engineer Div XIV(Bldgs) and the administra-tive approval and expendi-ture sanction order is issuedfor the same on August 9,2010," the education depart-ment said.

froM pAge 1

All-party meet they are doing some work.

Atala, was arrested in March for his links with police-politician-drug mafia. Seven policemen have already been arrested in thecase, in which Ravi Naiks son Roy has been linked by Lucky Farm-house, a Swedish model and Atalas ex-girlfriend. Both Roy andRavi have denied the charges.

Naik further asked why the Opposition was mum on the crucialissues of petrol pilferage at Zuari and the bomb blast at Margao.

There are several such issues but the Opposition does not talkon it, he said.

Asked about his statement in the Assembly that the politicianswere raising the issue only because their haftas were stopped, hesaid, we have received a complaint from Pernem against somepoliticians and will inform the media on the issue soon.

We have stopped the illegal business in the northern coastalbelt which has stopped the money making business of the politicianswho are now raising the issue of drugs, he said.

nResponding to aHerald reporthighlighting thecondition at theGovernmentMiddle School atBhati, theEducationDepartmentclarified that StdVI students werenot attendingclasses in abathroom, butadmitted that theywere studying ina storeroom.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

SANGUEM, AUG 25

While councillors and aspi-rants in Sanguem were in fullcampaign mode for the forth-coming municipal polls barelya fortnight ago, the situation ischanged drastically now follow-ing the government's proposalfor compulsory reservation ofseats to SC, ST and OBC.

The campaigning has almostcome to a grinding halt exceptby some overenthusiastic can-didates, who continue with theircampaigning work with thesame zeal.

The sole reason for taking afoot back is the failure of Direc-tor of Municipal Administrationto declare the wards, which willbe reserved for SC/ST or OBCcandidates.

While most aspiring candi-dates have an idea as to whichwards will be reserved forwomen candidates, nothing con-

crete is come about over thereservation criteria to be fol-lowed in selecting the wards tobe reserved for SC/ST and OBCcandidates.

However, some candidateshere feel that reservation policyfor SC/ST and OBC candidateswill depend on the number ofsuch voters residing in the re-spective wards, while some areof the opinion that wards forSC/ST and OBC candidates willbe reserved on rotation basisas is otherwise done for womencandidates.

From the situation presentlyprevailing in Sanguem, most sit-ting councillors, which includesSanjay Raikar, Suryadatt Naik,Romualdo Fernandes, AgneloDCosta and John DCosta areall set to contest the electionsall over again.

Prominent among those whoare likely to be fray in the ensu-ing elections and who are al-

ready on the campaigning trailare Sanguem Block GPCC Pres-ident Dr Revansiddh Naik, for-mer Sanguem Block GPCCpresident Caitano Martins Fer-nandes, Shrikant A Naik andDeepak Marathe.

Fo rmer SMC mayorMinguelinho DCosta is alsolikely to be in fray in the ensuingelections. Wife of ruling vicechairperson Bonifacio Fernandesis also scheduled to contest fromTaripanto and Ambdoi wardwhich is likely to be reservedfor women candidates this timearound.

With the reservation policyof the government still in dark,eyebrows are raised over thefate of a couple of candidateswho have their vote banks intheir respective wards, whilethings will be made difficult forSanjay Raikar if his ward is re-served for SC/ST or OBC candi-dates.

Campaigning for SMC slows down after seat reservation

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GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 2010

GOA Pg 3OHERALDO

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Goa Police on Wednesday ad-mitted a delay of almost 45 daysto issue Look Out Circular (LOC)against Israeli drug peddlerYaniv alias Atala Benaim eversince he was missing on July 7.

Police spokesperson Super-intendent of Police AtmaramDeshpande admitted that Atalasdisappearance is not good forthe case (police-drug nexus)probe.

Atala was called on August7 at Crime Branch for clarifica-tion relating to investigation.By then he had already checkedout from the Angels Resort atPorvorim, address which he pro-vided to the police after his con-ditional releaseWe havemoved for cancellation of hisbail at Narcotics and Drugs Psy-chotropic Substances (NDPS)Court the officer informedreporters today evening.

The missing drug peddler hadchecked in the hotel on June 26and stayed there for a period of20 days to exit on July 13 bypaying Rs 30,000 as hotelcharges.

After initial refusal, the PROadmitted that Atala has jumpedthe bail, which is a serious of-fense.

The revelation comes closeon the heels of criticisms againstpolice department over Atalassudden disappearance.

To a question on delay in

seeking LOC against the drugpeddler, the officer tried con-cealing the reason by statingthey (Crime Branch) may be try-ing to trace him. He replied, Itis quite possible that Investigat-ing Agency (Crime Branch) wasmaking efforts to trace him(Atala) and hence there was adelay in seeking LOC.

Even as strong apprehensionsfloating that Atala probably es-caped the state soon after hechecked out of Angels Resortat Porvorim, the department haslaunched a massive manhuntand teams have been sent toneighbour ing p laces l ikeGokarna, Sindhudurg, etc totrace him.

We have launched a massivesearch operation to trace himHis associates, surety, etc whowere in touch with him arebeing questioned. ForeignersRegistration Office has issuedLOC to seal his exits at airportsand sea ports, he said.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) onTuesday alleged that police of-ficers including Director Generalof Police Bhim Sain Bassi letAtala jump off the bail. The drugpeddler was arrested on March11 from a shack at Pernem fol-lowing the spy cam exposewherein he confessed links withGoa police.

He was thereafter releasedon conditional bail after overtwo months in June 21 by NDPSCourt.

Goa police slept for 45 days to issue LOC against Atala

PREviOus cOnvicTiOns Atala has been earlier convicted of possessing narcotics and

over staying, both in 2006. The tattooed drug peddler was firstnetted with 50 grams of Charas and two grams of ganja in his pos-session by the Anti Narcotics police.

In an immediate trial that followed, Atala pleaded guilty. JudicialMagistrate First Class F Court at Mapusa thereafter convictedhim under section 20(b) (ii) (A) of Narcotics and Drugs PsychotropicSubstances Act 2001 in May 16, 2006. He was sentenced for fivedays simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5000.

Six months later, on December 16, 2006 Atala was again arrestedby Anjuna police for overstaying his visa. Mapusa JMFC C Courtconvicted him of overstaying and sentenced him a minimal pun-ishment of five days simple imprisonment in an order on December21, 2006. The period of detention was however set off to theIsraeli accused as he was in custody since his arrest.

Present overstaying trial In the present trial in yet another case of overstaying, a warrant

against him is outstanding after he failed to appear before theJMFC Mapusa on August 5.

The history sheeter was found without a valid passport andvisa resulting in his arrest on July 20, 2007 from Arpora house.Sources inform that JMFC earlier issued a warrant against Atalaon August 5 for failing to remain present but it was withdrawnafter the alleged accused emerged before the Magistrate atadvanced stage.

The next hearing is slated on August 31 wherein the Court hasasked Atalas presence.

nDPs caseBefore he attained conditional bail on June 21, 2010 Atala had

applied for bail on four occasions which were rejected by concernedCourts earlier. The first denial was on March 11, a day after hisarrest, followed by March 11, 22 and 26.

He remained in police custody for 14 days after his arrest onMarch 10, 2010 and thereafter was lodged in judicial custody onMarch 23, 2010.

ATALAS CRIME RECORD

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Although the Goa police havemoved the court for issuing lookout notices against the allegeddrug dealer Yaniv Benahim aliasAtala, who has been missingsince last two months, the HomeMinistry feels there was no needfor a formal inquiry required inhis disappearance.

Home Minister Ravi Naikwhile addressing a press con-ference here stated that the po-lice have moved the court forissuing look out notice againstthe alleged drug dealer.

We have alerted all the air-ports, Foreigners Registration

Offices (FROs) against Atala,the home minister said.

However, Naik denied re-ports that he had ordered an

inquiry into the disappear-ance of the Israeli, who wasreleased on bail on June 23by the NDPS court.

We have approached theNDPS court for cancellation ofhis bail. ButI dont think thereis any requirement for an inquiryinto his disappearance, hestated.

Naik, whose son has beenlinked to drug trade, said thathe was misquoted by media andhe never said he would orderan inquiry.

When reporters spoke to meI said I will inquire into it butthey misquoted me saying I or-dered an inquiry, he said.

He also questioned needfor an inquiry saying, Itsnot a failure of the police aswe had not kept him undersecurity. There are so manycases and so many accusedon bail , we cannot go onkeeping watch on everyone.

When asked whether theAtalas disappearance is not se-rious, he replied no.

Atala was not arrested forpossessing drugs but only undersuspicion, he said adding inthe two and half months of hiscustody we have recorded hisstatement and as such he miss-ing does not make much of adifference.

No need of probe into Atalas disappearance: Ravi

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

Goa Childrens Court todays e n t e n c e d 2 7 - y e a r o l dlabourer for one year impris-onment and sought fine ofRs one l akh for sexua l l yabusing five year girl, in Feb-ruary 2009.

The accused Mahubali Harnaliand the victim both are fromTaleigao.

Accused is been booked

under Sect ion 354 of In-dian Panel Code ( IPC) andS e c t i o n 8 o f G o a c h i l -drens act .

The Court has asked accusedto deposit Rs 25,000 in thename of the victim in a nation-alized bank, which would begiven to her when she becomesa major. In case he fails to doso the accused will have to un-dergo six months more impris-onment.

White Water Riftingproject

held backHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

The adventure lovers will haveto hold back their zeal to havestates first ever White Waterrifting project in Mhadei forsome more time now.

The State Wildlife Board(SWB) meeting held today failedto clear this ambitious adventureproject on Kodal tributary ofMhadei River.

This was special meetingfixed by the SWB chairmanDigamber Kamat on request ofGoa Forest Development Cor-poration (GFDC) to decided toWhite Water Rifting project,Additional Principal Chief Con-servator of Forest, Dr ShashiKumar told Herald.

However, he said, that theproject could not be approvedas the chairman was busy else-where.

The project is an initiativeof Goa Forest DevelopmentCorporation, which is look-ing out for forest depart-ment approval. Goa ForestDevelopment Corporationwith the help of SouthernRiver Adventure and SportsPvt Ltd (SRAS) has come-outwith a plan of water sportsin the state.

One sentenced forsexually abusing minor

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GOA Pg 4sHoRT TAKes

GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 2010

uPComiNg eVeNTsOHE

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Curtorim school PTA meet heldPANJIM (HND): The annual general body meeting of Our Ladyof Carmel School, Curtorim was held in the School Hall re-cently.

Keynote speaker Fr Alfred Vaz Catechetical Director ofArchdiocese of Goa speaking on the topic The Aim Of Edu-cation advised the parents to inculcate in their children self-esteem, self confidence to participate in school activities.

Manager and Principal Fr Anthony Rodrigues urged the par-ents to be proactive in activities of the school and thankedlocal MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for lending a helping hand inthe development of the school. Earlier, Headmaster QuintilaoFaleiro welcomed.

Miquelina Dias presented the PTA report, which was followedby a drama. Meritorious students of last years SSC batch Miss Lianne Moniz who secured 100/100 in Science and 99/100in Maths overall 92% and three others were felicitated.

The programme was compered by Navnath Shirodkar andwhile PTA Chairman Angelo Dias proposed the Vote of thanks.

Vasco Mahila Cong chief namedVASCO (HR): Rehana Ismail Bepari was appointed president ofVasco Block Mahila Congress Committee by Goa PradeshMahila Congress President Monica Noronha Dias.

In the recently held Kranti Din commemoration function atJanta Vachanalay Hall, Vasco, St. Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandeshanded over the appointment letter to Bepari.

Dias asked Bepari to submit the names of other officebearers of Mahila Congress members and members should beselected from various section of the society.

However, Bepari pledged that she would work to strengthenthe organization in Vasco and mobilise more women workersin the party.

She expressed her gratitude for Dias for appointing her aspresident and giving her an opportunity to work for the party.

Valpoi school wins singing contestVALPOI (HC): Gulafshan Haji Sab Pitliwale of National HighSchool, Valpoi, won the first prize at the inter-school talukalevel singing competition, organised by Ganesh Utsav Mandal,Valpoi.

Anisa Maqbul Mulla, a student of the same school, won thethird place at the taluka-level skipping competition, organisedby the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.

These students were trained by PE teacher Imran Inamdar,Assistant Teacher Swaleha Kausar and Headmaster Shabbir AKhan.

Medical camp held at BagaCALANGUTE (HC): The Lions Club of Nagoa-Arpora-Parra incollaboration with Royal Goan Beach Club and Vrundavan Hos-pital & Research Centre organised a medical camp for residentsof Nagoa-Arpora-Baga.

Over 300 residents underwent various tests including, eye-test, blood pressure, sugar levels for diabetics, at the CommunityHall of Holy Trinity Church, Nagoa-Arpora-Baga.

Dr Digambar Naik who led the Vrundavan team explainedto the residents various means to take care of their health, es-pecially a control on their sugar levels.

Lions Club members attending the camp included AgostinhoD'Souza, Salim Sayyed, Diago and Lily Rose Fernandes, Angeloand Vendatta Remedious, Ashley D'Souza, Sebastiao Pinto andMildred Cordeiro, while the Royal Goan Beach Club team wasled by their Public Relations and Liaison Officer George D'-Souza.

Kashinath appointed Notary VALPOI (HC): Adv Kashinath Mhalshekar of Keri-Sattari wasappointed Notary for Sattari taluka.

Adv Mhalshekar will be available to the public in his officeat Rane Building, near Government High School, Valpoi-Sat-tari.

PTA meet held at ParraPANJIM (HND): The General Body meeting of the PTA of SacredHeart High School, Parra, was held on Saturday 21 August at9.00 a.m. The Headmaster and chairman of the PTA AnandDesai welcomed the parents and the chief guest of the dayVilash Ramnath Satarkar, Headmaster of Dr. K.B. HedgewarH/S Panjim Shripad Kundaikar introduced the chief guest.

The student securing distinction and 1st class at the Sec-ondary school certificate examination March 2010 were hon-oured at the hands of the chief guest.

The chief guest emphasised the need to culminate the goodhabits in children. They should not be stressed for high scoring.The newly elected committee for the year 2010 to 2012 is asfollows. Ex-Officio chairman & president Anand Desai, Vicepresident Gajanan Salgaonkar, Secretary Vasudev Bicholkar,Treasurer Joe D'Souza, Members Deepali Tulaskar, NirmalaMashelkar, Kasturi Gadekar, Marilyn Vaz, Zinia Lobo, AtmaramSalgaonkar.

Jose D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Maria Helenacompered the meeting.

The huge gathering at the annual general body meeting at Cur-torim.

School foundation to be laidVALPOI (HC): The laying of foundation stone for the new schoolbuilding of National High School Valpoi will be held nearGausiya Madrasa,Thane road, Valpoi, on August 26 at 9.30 am.

Speaker Pratapsing Rane will lay the foundation stone inthe presence of the health minister.

National High School was established in 1970 by late AdvAshraf Aga and since the last 40 years, the school is impartingeducation through Urdu Medium in Valpoi.

However, to improve its infrastructure and provide betterfacilities to the students, the school management has decidedto construct the new building.

Progressive Education Society Chairman Adv Iftikhar Agaand Headmaster Shabbir A Khan have invited the people tojoin hands for educational cause, states the press note.

Satyanarayan MahapoojaPANJIM (HND): UCO Bank, Panjim will hold its annual ShreeSatyanarayan Mahapooja on August 28 from 3 pm at its premisesat Govinda building, Panjim.

This will be followed by Tirthaprasad and Bhajan between5:30 pm and 7 pm.

Dr Ernest Borges FellowshipPANJIM (HND): To commemorate Dr Ernest Borges 100th birthanniversary, the Borges family will institute Dr Ernest BorgesFellowship on September 27 at a function to be held in theGMC Library Auditorium, Bambolim at 3 pm.

This annual fellowship will enable a young doctor who iscommitted to the cancer effort in Goa to undergo short-termintensive training in cancer or cancer-related disciplines atTata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.

GMC Dean Dr V N Jindal and eminent Cancer Surgeon DrLuzito D Souza will grace the occasion.

Dr Ernest Borges (1909-1969) was a distinguished cancersurgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai , and also Super-intendent of the Hospital.

Junior orator contestMARGAO (HR): Lions Club of Loutolim will organise its JuniorOrator Contest for the late Avertano Furtado rolling trophy onSeptember 4 at the municipal hall, Margao.

The competition is open to students of all schools in Goa.The students have to select any three topics from the following Grading system what are the benefits for the students;Tourism How can we make it good for us; Indian First -- howto fight forces of regional parochialism and Time Management Why is it necessary.

The winner will be award a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and thelate Avertano Furtado rolling trophy, while the runners-up willpocket Rs 5,000.

For further details, contact Ln Jeevandas Borkar (9552002878)or Ln Celso Dias (9860606994) or Ln Antonio Quadros(9923029197) or any member of the club.

Legal Literacy CampPANJIM (HND): Bardez Taluka Legal Services Committee in as-sociation with V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar-Panjimwill organise a Micro Legal Literacy Camp on August 28 atSangolda Panchayat Hall, Sangolda at 4 pm with a view tospread consciousness about the legal rights.

The session will be presided over by Advocate Dilesh Ashvekarwho will speak on Womens Rights while Adv P Banaulikarwill speak on Free Legal Aid and Rights to Information.

All the citizens of Bardez taluka in general, advocates, socialworkers, women citizens and litigants are requested to attendthe camp.

Felicitation function at MargaoPANJIM (HND): The Centre for Portuguese Language and

Culture (CPLC) of Smt Parvatibai Chowgule College of Artsand Science, Margao, will be felicitating successful candidatescompleting Portuguese language courses during the AcademicYear 2009-10 on August 28 at 4 pm at College Auditorium.

Dr Delfim Correia da Silva, Director, CLP/Instituto Cameswill be the chief guest while Dr. R V Gaonkar, Principal will bethe guest of honour.

Vailankanni novenasPANJIM (HND): The novenas in preparation for the feast of OurLady of Vailankanni at the chapel at Sotrant-Cortalim will com-mence from August 30 with rosary at 5.30 pm followed bynovena mass.

The feast will be celebrated on September 8 with the highMass at 5 pm.

At BogmaloPANJIM (HND): The novenas in preparation for the feast of

Our Lady of Vailankanni at St Cosme and St Damiao Church,Bogmalo will commence from August 30 with Rosary at 5:30pm followed by offering of flowers and mass.

During novenas, Fr Frank Pinto will deliver his homily.On the feast day (September 8) the celebration will begin

with Rosary at 5:30pm followed by offering of flowers. Fr Antonio Fernandes will be the main celebrant for the

solemn mass, which will be followed by candle procession.

National Nutrition WeekPANJIM (HND): National Nutrition week (NNW) will be celebratedfrom September 1 to 7.

The theme for this year is Nutrition promotion for a strongernation.

On the occasion, one day State Level workshop is organizedfor State officers and NGO representatives who are involvedin Health and Nutrition programme, which will be held onSeptember 1, from 9.30 am to 4 pm at Conference Hall, HotelManoshanti, Panjim.

The workshop will involve 50 senior officers like CDPOs,Mukhya Sevikas from Department of W&CD, Medical Officerfrom Health Services, officers from Agriculture, Education etc.and active representatives from NGOs.

Weeping Cross Chapel to get

faceliftHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, AUG 25

The Chapel of the Weeping Crossat the Convent of St Monica, OldGoa, a 400-year-old protected her-itage structure, is set to get afacelift with the Museum of Chris-tian Art inviting tender bids forcarrying out repair and restorationworks on the edifice.

The works, estimated to costapproximately Rs 38 lakh involv-ing a mix of civil, carpentry andfabrication will be funded bythe State Government throughthe Directorate of Archives andArchaeology. The bids will beopened on September 6, 2010.

The Convent of St Monica sit-uated opposite the St AugustineChurch has a rich history datingback to 1627 as it was once calledRoyal Monastery. It was burneddown in 1636 but was rebuilt com-pletely the following year.

Situated next to the conventis the church dedicated to StMonica, which has the famousChapel of the Weeping Cross.The cross is believed to bemiraculous and it is said that in1636 Christ opened his eyes andblood oozed from his crown ofthorns.

Want NH-17 restricted to 30 mts

Chinchinim locals demand bypass

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

Water Resources Minister, Filipe Neri Rodriguesled the villagers of Chinchinim to the Land Ac-quisition Office of National Highway Authorityof India (NHAI) here to demand construction ofa bypass or flyover to avoid the proposed four-lane highway from passing through densely pop-ulated areas of the village.

The delegation also demanded that the NH-17 passing through the village be restricted to30 metres.

After giving a patient hearing to the delegation,Land Acquisition Officer, Agnelo Fernandes hassuggested a joint inspection of the village alongwith NHAI and PWD officials. Fernandes alsoasked the villagers to submit the maps, if any, ofthe proposed bypass.

In a memorandum submitted to the Land Ac-quisition Officer on Wednesday morning, the del-egation said the proposed bypass and the pathsuggested to meet the Cuncolim bypass at Sarzorais reasonable and fair, adding that the proposalis cost effected in terms of acquisition, feasibilityetc.

The residents pointed out that the governmenthad acquired land for the widening of the existinghighway way back in 1989, resulting in the dem-olition of affected houses. The acquired land of30 metres has not been put to use. The trees

have not been cleared, the delegation said,adding that the decision to go for acquisition ofadditional land is causing trauma and agony forthe residents.

Incidentally, the delegation drew attention ofthe Land Acquisition Officer to the resolutionsadopted by the village panchayat and the gramsabha as well demanding a bypass to save theresidential structures from demolition.

nThe residents pointed out thatthe government had acquiredland for the widening of theexisting highway way back in1989, resulting in thedemolition of affected houses.The acquired land of 30metres has not been put touse. The trees have not beencleared, the delegation said,adding that the decision to gofor acquisition of additionalland is causing trauma andagony for the residents.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, AUG 25

Delay in demolition of old mudhouse could have proved costlyto residents in the neighbouringhouse at Tixem-Borim in Shi-roda.

On Tuesday at about 10.30pm, one of the walls of the oldmud house collapsed, slightlydamaging the neighbouringhouse be long ing to oneShashikant Naik. Luckily, whenthe incident occurred, the oc-cupants of the house were not

near the damaged portion ofthe house.

The old unoccupied mudhouse is in a dilapidated condi-tion and during the monsoonmost of mud walls have col-lapsed. The residents had ap-proached the panchayat anddistrict administration, but tono use.

There is also other part of thehouse which needs to be razedor else the neighbouring housewould suffer. A temporaryarrangement was made by the

residents to stop mud wall fromfalling, but with continuousrains, the wall gave way.

Shashikant Naik has de-manded for immediate action.I hope at least now some actionwill be taken by the authorities.I have been requesting to de-molish this mud house since thelast two months but nothing hasbeen done, said Naik.

We were indeed lucky lastnight. There are two more wallsand can anytime fall on ourhouse, added Naik.

This mud house is unoccupied, unsafe!

A partly damaged house at Tixem-Borim in Shiroda. Photo by Amresh Parab

Salcete mishaps claimpedestrian, cyclist

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

A pedestrian and a cyclist were killed in Salcete in two separateroad accidents on Wednesday.

In the first accident that occurred near Raia Church, a 62-yearold pedestrian Inacio Gomes was killed after he was knockeddown by a speeding Tata Truck.

Maina Curtorim police said the deceased succumbed to his in-juries in the hospital.

A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered againstthe vehicle driver.

Meanwhile, a cyclist Shabir was killed in a road accident at Pan-zorcone late Wednesday evening. Police said the cyclist wasknocked down by a car. The Cuncolim police are investigating.Meanwhile in another accident reported near the Rajendra Prasadstadium last night, a youth sustained serious injuries while hewas hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. The Margao policeare investigating.

Ensure ZIOTLpipeline is freefrom tapping,

SDPO told HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, AUG 25

Mormugao Deputy CollectorLevinson Martins has asked theMormugao Sub Divisional PoliceOfficer (SDPO) to investigate the14-km fuel pipeline of Zuari In-dian Oil Tanking Ltd (ZIOTL), toensure that it is free from furtherillegal tapping connections.

In a letter on Wednesday,Martins has asked MormugaoSDPO Mahesh Gaonkar to inves-tigate the pipeline, which sup-plies petrol, diesel, keroseneand naphtha, to ensure that itis free from any tapping con-nections to pilfer petroleumproducts.

Martins is of the opinion thatMondays incident has exposedthe pilferage racket in which theaccused had made a tappingconnection to the pipeline withmeticulous planning to siphonoff fuel along the NH-17B atAlto-Dabolim.

The 14-km odd pipelinepasses through densely popu-lated areas, while it also passesthrough isolated places via NH-17B to reach the oil depot atZuarinagar-Sancoale.

The office of Joint Chief Con-troller of Explosive along withZIOTL should inspect the ZIOTLinstallation and the entire 14-km pipeline.

This is necessary as in 2008,wells and rivulets, which wereat a close distance of ZIOTL in-stallations, were contaminatedwith petroleum products.Hence, inspection should betaken up on top priority, saidMartins.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, AUG 25

Residents of Bardez confrontedRevenue and Civil Supplies Min-ister Jose Philip DSouza withmany complaints over the delayin finalizing mutation cases inthe offices of the mamlatdar anddeputy collector.

The minister visited Mapusaon Wednesday to hear thegrievances of the people. Ma-pusa MLA Francis DSouza,Siolim MLA Dayanand Man-drekar and North Goa Collec-tor Mihir Vardhan, DeputyCollector Dashrath Redkar andBardez Mamlatdar GaurishShankhwalker were presenton the occasion.

A resident of Nerul com-plained to the revenue ministerthat her mutation case is pend-ing in the office of Mamlatdarand Deputy Collector for thelast two years.

She said for the two years,she is frequenting the office ofMamlatdar and Deputy Collec-tor, but the order has not beenpassed.

Another aggrieved person al-leged that genuine cases arekept pending for years together,but the forged cases of muta-tions are cleared immediately.One mutation case has beenfinalized without even issuingnotices to the concerned par-ties, claimed the aggrieved per-son.

Bardez Mamlatdar GaurishShankhwalker said if all the doc-uments are in order, mutationcases can be finalized withinone day as per the latest amend-ment to the Act.

Since I had to attend toother works like elections, etc,I could not devote enoughtime for mutation cases duringthe last one year, statedShankhwalker.

Jose Philip DSouza said he isaware of the difficulties beingfaced by the offices of the Mam-latdar and Deputy Collector.

He assured to request ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat toopen a separate cell for electionand allied works so that themamlatdar and deputy collectorcan concentrate on their legalmatters.

Former ZP member FreddyFernandes demanded thatthe Talathi and head surveyorin the Mamlatdars officeshould be transferred imme-diately as they demand bribefrom the poor people to dotheir work.

Revenue Minister DSouzashould visit Mapusa every twomonths to hear the grievancesof the public, suggested Fer-nandes.

A resident of Moira com-plained to the revenue ministerthat she has not received thesugar against the BPL ration cardfor the last 6 months.

The fair price owner statedthat he has not received sugarquota from the government dur-ing the last six months, due towhich he could not supply sugarto BPL cardholders, she said.

Some people demanded thatthe rice quota for the people ofAbove Poverty Line should beincreased to at least 5 kg perperson.

The revenue min i s te rreplied that there are about3.4 lakh APL cards in the Stateand since the government re-ceives limited quantity of riceand wheat, it is not possibleto increase the ration quotato APL cardholders.

I had requested the CentralGovernment to increase thequantity of rice, wheat and sugarduring festivals so that Goa Gov-ernment can supply more quan-tity to the APL cardholdersduring the festival season, saidDSouza.

Mapusa MLA Francis DSouzastated that the governmentshould monitor the functioningof talathis in various panchayats.

"If the talathis start workinghonestly and efficiently, therewill be drastic reduction in thecomplaints from the people,said D'Souza.

Siolim MLA Dayanand Man-drekar thanked the revenue min-ister for visiting Mapusa and forattending to the grievances ofthe public.

Bardezkars confront minister over delay in finalising mutation cases

Man fished out at

KhariwadoHERALD REPORTER

VASCO, AUG 25

Vasco Police on Wednesdaymorning fished out a male bodyfrom the sea off Khariwado.

According to Vasco Police, apassport was found in the pock-ets of the deceased. The pass-port belonged to one MeninVisant Rodricks (36) of St An-thony Church, Dandeli-Karwar,but the photo on the passporthad been discoloured.

Some people at Khariwadonoticed the body floatingnear Khariwado jetty at about7.30 am and informed thepolice.

Police further informed thatthe deceased was wearing or-ange-coloured checked shirtand dark blue trouser, whilethe body was medium builtand it appears that the de-ceased was in the waters fornearly two days. The deceasedis suspected to be about 36years of age.

Vasco Police has registered acase of unnatural death and thebody has been preserved at Hos-picio in Margao.

Python rescued OLD GOA, AUG 25(HC) --

Corlim locals rescued a nine-foot python at PDA Colony inCorlim, on Monday night.

The python was noticed mov-ing along the road by the locals.After seeing the reptile, the lo-cals caught the python and putit in a sack and later informedthe forest officials.

Curti resident blames VP for incomplete works

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, AUG 25

A resident of Curti-Khandepar, Ponda, has accused the pan-chayat of failing to undertake developmental activities inthe locality.

In a press note, Salim Mullah, who had contested the SouthGoa ZP polls, has requested the district authorities to look intothe functioning of the panchayat.

Whatever works the panchayat undertakes are left incomplete.I dont understand why this is happening in our panchayat. When-ever I go to inquire about the pending works or the works thatare to be undertaken, only promises are made by the panchayat,said Mullah.

The panchayat has failed in maintaining sanitation in thelocality. Roadside gutters are lying open, luckily some areclosed. The open gutters pose danger to pedestrians and mo-torists. I have been requesting the panchayat about it sincethe last many days, but to no use, stated Mullah in the pressnote.

The panchayat had acquired land for kabrastan a few yearsago, however till date nothing has been done. I will inquire throughRTI as to why it is pending. We will also take up the issue duringthe gram sabha on August 29, he added.

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appOintMents

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, AUG 25

The South Goa District Magis-trate has ordered the transferof the case relating to the rightto use the road at Orlim fromthe court of deputy collector,Margao to deputy collector, Mor-mugao.

The order was passed by Dis-trict Magistrate G P Naik followinga petition filed by the Attorneyof the Fabrica De Igreja Da Orlim,St Micheals Church to transferthe case from deputy Collector,Margao to the court of any otherdeputy collector in the interestof justice and fair play.

The Fabrica Attorney had al-leged that the deputy collector,Margao had passed an order interms of Section 147 of the CrP C by denying and suppressingnatural justice though the pro-ceedings were initiated undersection 145 of the Code.

Deputy Collector, Margao John-son Fernandes had on June 24 lasthad passed an order under Section147 of the Cr P C giving a builderthe right to use the road. The Fab-rica later went in appeal to theHigh Court, which later set aside

the order with directions to thedeputy Collector to hear both theparties and pass appropriate or-ders, whether the proceedingsare required to be converted fromSection 145 to Section 147 of theCode.

Incidentally, the respondentsAnand Ashok Batra of MsMeenakshi Financial ConsultantsPvt Ltd and Satwick DwellingsPvt, Orlim denied the allegationsthat the deputy collectors orderdated June 24 was in totalbreach of the Principle of naturaljustice. Contending that the ap-plication moved for transfer ofthe case is nothing but an afterthought to delay the matter, therespondents prayed for the dis-missal of the application fortransfer of the case to anotherdeputy collector.

In his order, the district mag-istrate said I am of the opinionthat in order to give a fair andreasonable opportunity and nat-ural justice in the present case,it is ordered that the case istransferred from the court ofdeputy collector, Margao to thecourt of deputy Collector, Mor-mugao.

DM transfers Orlimroad case to

Mormugao dy collector

Panchayati Raj misusedAyres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo

In the colonial days, the village was governedby one man the Regidor who lookedafter the villagers welfare. Our ancestorscultivated the fields and took the cattle forgrazing. There was self-sufficiency, with lo-cally grown produce. People were honest,sincere and simple.

The village scenario changed post-Liber-ation with the Panchayati Raj replacing theold system. Panchayats came under the in-fluence of politics and became breedinggrounds for corruption. Today, our villagesare on the brink of extinction.

Village Self Rule; Our Right, a conceptpromoted by the Council for Social Justiceand Peace, attempts to create awareness

among villagers to rebuild the old systemand protect our villages from unplanneddevelopment. It requires unity and unanimityof mind. Are we willing to revert to the oldsystem?

Waning agricultureJonas Correia, Aldona

The news report Agriculture on the wane(Herald, 22 Aug) makes disturbing reading.The reasons attributed are fictitious andhave no logic. The real cause is faulty agri-cultural policies and the draconian Landto the Tiller legislation.

Prior to Liberation, farmers producedtwo to three crops with little technologyand no help from the government. Post-Liberation, the government introduced high-yielding seeds. However, the AgricultureDepartment has stopped buying excess pro-duce from the farmers on flimsy groundsand, instead, supports import of third-graderaw rice.

The Tenancy Act is another hurdle. Theland owners share of 50 per cent of theproduce was first reduced to one-sixth, andthen to nothing. Politicians also encouragedthe farmers children to go for governmentjobs, to build a vote bank.

If the government is really interested inseeing green fields, it must revert unculti-vated fields to the original land owners andban construction in fields.

Beware of BJP Jose Maria Miranda, Margao

There are reports that the BJP is wooingthe minorities. It would not be difficult, asthe ruling coalition, by its lack of gover-nance, corruption and infighting, seems tobe handing over the next government tothem on a platter.

But let us not forget that while giving usa fairly efficient administration, the BJP alsogave a communal, despotic and aggressivegovernance, with attempts by its leader toeven gag the Press.

While people are surely frustrated withthe present government, not only the mi-norities but even broad-minded people fromthe majority community will certainly notsee the BJP as an option. Once bitten

BJP and minoritiesSamir Khan, Mapusa

The news item BJP to tap minority vote toboost base (Herald, 23 August) says that BJPGoa desk-in-charge Arti Mehra will interactwith the minorities to remove the tag ofthe BJP being a communal party.

Can a leopard change its spots? Can theSangh Parivar give up Hindutva? The BJP isrunning short of ideas after it realised thatit cannot, any more, use the Ram Mandirplank for votes.

The hands of BJP and the Sangh Parivarare drenched in the blood of Muslims, Chris-tians and Dalits. The demolition of the BabriMasjid, the Gujarat genocide, the burningalive of missionary Graham Staines and histwo little sons by Bajrang Dal activists,Orissas anti-Christian Kandhamal riots; allare still fresh in the mind.

Manohar Parrikar and his brigade haveleft no stone unturned to pollute the peace-ful atmosphere of Goa. If the BJP is votedback to power, its first and immediate targetwill be the minorities. Minorities and secularforces should come together to stop the

lotus from blossoming in Goa.

Wake up callCroydon Medeira, Margao

The tiatr Kednam Uttttolo is a must forevery true Goan. It has real situations ofhow Goans are taken for a ride and Goanyouth exploited by politicians. Congratula-tions to Prince Jacob and his team.

The sting of this tiatr is literally in its tail.It is an eye-opener for all Goans, and awake-up call too. It is a warning for politi-cians not to take Goans for granted anymore,as their days of loot, plunder, corruptionand taking the public for granted are num-bered.

True patriotismKajal Chatterjee, Kolkata

Kudos to Caetano de Abreu for his articlePatriotism be damned (Herald, 23 August).

Indians believe that parroting My Indiais Great (in the so-called Rashtrabhasa) andwaving the tricolour in cricket stadiums arepatriotism.

But the very same patriots do not regard

corruption, casteism and communalism asa betrayal of the country. Red-tapism, wasteof stationery, water and electricity, misuseof telephones, computers and vehicles areacts against the country. What about ram-pant pollution of air and water by industries?

As many as 75 per cent of our brothersand sisters have to subsist on less than Rs20per day, but the middle and upper classesfeel no qualms about squandering moneyon luxuries! When will Indians realise thatit is love, care and respect for our nationalresources, maintenance of harmony amongpeople, honest and sincere work for thenation and society, and compassion for thedowntrodden are true patriotism?

Call in the armyAires Rodrigues, Ribandar

As if the spurt in thefts and house breakingis not enough, Home Minister Ravi Naik hascautioned Goans to lock their houses prop-erly if they plan to travel home during theGanesh holidays. He has also advised themto carry their valuables, if possible. Howcan he expect people to travel in comfortwhile carting around their valuables?

Thankfully, the Home Minister did notadvise people to leave their valuables inthe safe custody of the nearest police sta-tion. Those nasty white ants that eat con-fiscated drugs stored at police headquarters,or maybe rats or vultures could eat goldand valuables.

Have the police abdicated their duty ofpatrolling our streets? Then maybe thearmed forces should be called in to makeour streets safe!

Learn to discern liesJuliet DeSouza, Bastora

I echo Agnelo Furtados plea in The Godsesof Goanet (Herald, 18 August) to Dr OscarRebello and Patricia Pinto to withdraw theirresignations. Strong, straight and selflessleaders like these (and there are many, manymore) are our only hope to save Goa.

We need to realise that the rumour mon-gers only motive is to divide us. They arefearful of these leaders successes. If wetruly love Goa, we will turn up for GBArallies in huge numbers to demonstrate oursupport of these stalwarts.

Mother Teresas light shines

Kashmir is so much in the news that we seemto take little notice of it. It is a regular itemon Page 1 of the dailies though, quite often,

it is relegated to a filler, like the blasts in Paris inthe 1970s.

Whether the security forces are exercising re-straint or are trigger-happy depends on whichside one sympathises with. The stone-throwingmobs, too, are quite active in their bid at jihad.And, dont we know that when religious fervouris invoked, there is no stopping the route to mar-tyrdom?

For too long we have kept the K question onthe back burner. Its time we addressed it with awhole new approach. In fact, this writer grew upon Indian UN delegate V K Krishna Menons fierymarathon speeches in the United Nations duringthe Nehru era (clips of which would appear onthe Indian News Review shown in cinemas beforethe main film in those days). They were as strikingas they were erudite. He even questioned thevery utility of the Security Council during anunprecedented eight-hour speech to the UN Se-curity Council on 23 January 1957, defendingIndias stand on Kashmir. Menon took breaks onlyto drink from a glass of water and, at one point,came near to fainting during that historic speech.

We know the part and parcel of India rhetoricoften quoted by then Prime Minister JawaharlalNehru and other Indian leaders. But we also knowthat Nehru was a Kashmiri Pandit (they are knownfor their craftiness) and had a vested interest inhis own motherland.

Why retain Section 370 of the Constitution,which prevents non-Kashmiris from owning landin the Valley? We do not have that Section any-where else in the country. Years later, Section620 B was imposed, which allows Armed Forcesin Jammu and Kashmir to have special powers. Ifthis isnt a bias, what is?

The fact that Kashmir had a Hindu king, HariSingh, with a majority Muslim population is alittle incongruous to say the least. French novelistPatrick French, in his recent essay in Outlookmagazine, has this to say: Few national politicianswould dare to take a creative position in manyareas where change is obviously needed for ex-ample in regard to Kashmir, where it is apparentthe representative status quo has been leading

to disaster for a decade. On a separate note, he refers to the growing

Maoist presence: The fruits of recent economicgrowth have bypassed large sections of the pop-ulation in central India, and so it is assumed thatarmed rebellion in those areas must be more au-thentic or visible than in any other response.Being an outsider, Frenchs observations cannotbe ignored. They are surely more objective thanours.

But the writer also refers to the all-party dia-logues that took place between Nehru, Gandhi,Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Azadduring the forming of the Constituent Assembly.It is these dialogues that helped us draft a Con-stitution quite unlike our neighbours, Pakistan.

French further says: There was nothing in-evitable about India becoming a democracy. AtIndependence, even before the Partition massacrestook place, the nation was falling apart. The QuitIndia movement had left large parts of the northungovernable, and civil power was breaking down

across the country. The armed forces were about to be divided

between India and Pakistan and the most seniorIndian officer, Gen K M Cariappa, told ViceroyLord Mountbatten that it might be a good ideato have a short spell of military rule. Fortunately,this idea was rejected, and India did not go theway of some of our neighbours, where politiciansshare power uneasily with the armed forces.

Arent we happy to be far more stable and tohave a functioning democracy than Pakistan? Forthis, we have to thank the foresight of our Con-stituent Assembly, our founding fathers.

Referring to the Maoist problem, French speaksof the need to take a fresh look at the issue. TheCentral Committee of the Communist Party ofIndia (Maoist), he says, is composed almost ex-clusively of ageing men with upper caste back-grounds, mostly from landed families in AndhraPradesh and West Bengal, whose ideas wereformed in the1970s. The Adivasis, in whose namethe battle is taking place, are foot soldiers of a

dated philosophy that, French feels, has no chanceof succeeding in a country as large as India. Still,these old men are presumed to speak for thepoor.

It is time we have a new all-party meet on vitalissues like Kashmir and the Maoist problem, whichis fast-spreading owing to Union Home MinisterP Chidambarams (also an upper caste Hindu) un-bending postures. Open debate is absolutely nec-essary. The need for a dialogue is irrefutable. Wescarcely resort to this measure, instead of ex-pending most of our energies fighting each other.

St Augustine said: The importance of a dia-logue is not winning it, but finding the truth. Itis the only possible solution. After decades ofstraitjacketed thinking, why not take a fresh newapproach to this long-stagnant problem?

Nearer home, in a Goa that is verdant greenwith the bountiful monsoon, the predictable one-step-forward-two-steps-backward functioning ofthe Digambar Kamat government goes on. Re-cently, there was news that the Central Bureauof Investigation (CBI) was awaiting the governmentnod to prosecute 11 persons (nine from Customsand Central Excise, one from MPT, one from Cus-toms) in two cases in June 2009 and 2010. MaybeDigambar-bab is not even aware of it

Then there is the old issue of the new AsiloHospital in Mapusa, ready and waiting for nearlytwo years. The Courts decision is awaited, re-minding one of times about a decade ago when the High Court ruled, not the sleepy Con-gress government.

This time, the Bombay High Court observedthat the state government should immediatelyshift the facilities of the Asilo Hospital from theexisting premises to the new building, withoutwaiting for a Public Private Partnership (PPP)agreement to be reached. Justices A S Oka and FM Reis asked the government get the hospitalfunctioning, as there is ample availability of staffand medical facilities. Start the initial work andthen go ahead with the PPP, it said.

But Advocate-General Subodh Kantaks defencewas: If we go ahead with the hospital without aproper facelift, several questions will be asked.Well, several questions are already being askedabout the inordinate delay in opening the hospital.Why not address those questions first? Its ele-mentary, Mr Kantak.

OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in

Pg8Vol No CX No: 216

Goa, Thursday 26 August, 2010

Letters to the EditorLetter of the Day

What is Peace and Justice?Luis Fernandes, Aldona

Peace and Justice Sunday was solemnly celebrated in St Thomas Church at Aldona.People from all around came with gusto to listen to the talk, which was to be givenby Fr Maverick Fernandes, to learn about their rights and how to defend them. Un-fortunately, the talk was delivered by Soter DSouza and it was on Panchayati Raj.

We were waiting for someone to speak on injustice and rampant corruption thatplague the society, and to know what can be done peacefully. But we were given acup of tea and, later, a book by Averthanus DSouza was launched at the hands ofparish priest, which we were requested to buy for Rs50. All we were told in the talkwas to cultivate fields and grow vegetables, following the age-old comunidade system.

I appreciate their philanthropy, but tell me if Fr Maverick, Mr Soter, our parishpriests or the other speakers would ever themselves work in the fields? In the olddays, food was grown only in our fields, and we were obliged to earn a living byworking in them. Now, people work in offices and can buy their food.

During Portuguese, rule the mundkars slogged and the bhatkars filled their tummy.Now all people are educated and the Portuguese have also left Goa, so the bhatkarsfeel deprived. They cannot bear to see others rising, and think of all knavish tricks.The Church tells all goody-goody things to the mundkars while the subtle bhatkarswatch silently. Anyway, Goa is already a failed state, thanks to all such crooks. Whatis peace and what is justice? I leave it only in the hands of my loving God.

Printed and published by Vinayak Pai Bir for and on behalf of Herald Publications Pvt Ltd. Printed at Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Plot No: L-135, Phase II, Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete, Goa. Published at PO Box 160, Rua Sao Tome, Panjim, Goa - 403001. Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat(Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 2222475 (all Editorial); 2230535, Fax: 2225622 (Advertising); Margao: 2737689. Mumbai Office: 16-A, Bell Building, 2nd Floor, 19 Sir PM Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 (Tel: 22840702/22844908). RNI No: 43667/83. HOW TO CONTACT US: mail@herald-goa.com For press notes, general queries. junioryouth@herald-goa.com Junior Herald & Careers. heraldmirror@herald-goa.com Sunday Mirror. reporters@herald-goa.com For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com For Business news. editor@herald-goa.com ForLetters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com For Advertisements. 2day@herald-goa.com For Herald 2day. tiatr@herald-goa.com For Tiatr Reviews and Reports. Disclaimer: Except for the editorial above, articles and letters in Herald represent the views of the concernedauthors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

Paths of Wisdom

We need a fresh new approach to solve vital issues like Kashmir and the Maoist problem, says erVeLL e MeneZeS

OHERALDO

Minding our BuSineSS

Facts of Life

By Marc de Souza

OHERALDO

Peace of mindOnce, Buddha was travelling with a fewof his followers. While they were pass-ing a lake, Buddha told one of his dis-ciples, I am thirsty. Do get me somewater from the lake.

The disciple walked up to the lake.At that moment, a bullock cart startedcrossing through the lake. As a result,the water became very muddy and tur-bid. The disciple thought, How can Igive this muddy water to Buddha todrink?

So he came back and told Buddha,The water in there is very muddy. Idont think it is fit to drink.

After about half an hour, again Bud-dha asked the same disciple to go backto the lake.

The disciple went back, and foundthat the water was still muddy. He re-turned and informed Buddha about thesame.

After sometime, again Buddha askedthe same disciple to go back.

This time, the disciple found the mudhad settled down, and the water wasclean and clear. So he collected somewater in a pot and brought it to Bud-dha.

Buddha looked at the water, and thenhe looked up at the disciple and said,See what you did to make the waterclean. You let it be, and the mud settleddown on its own-and you have clearwater.

Your mind is like that too! When itis disturbed, just let it be. Give it a littletime. It will settle down on its own.You dont have to put in any effort tocalm it down. It will happen. It is ef-fortless.

Attaining Peace of Mind is not astrenuous job; it is an effortless process!

Treat everyone with politenessEven those who are rude to youNot because they are not niceBut because you are nice.

100 Years Ago

26 August 1910

TB discoverer cremated The mortal remains of the acclaimedNobel Prize winner Prof Heinrich Her-mann Robert Koch, who isolated the bac-teria that cause TB and Cholera, wereconsigned to flames at Baden-Baden inthe presence of his widow.

Condemned to death The War Council in Vienna condemnedLieut Adolf Hofrichter to be hanged todeath for sending tablets containing Prus-sic Acid to poison 10 Army Officers ofthe General Staff.

Akbary discussed The question of the Akbary, whose freshfashioning was recommended by Coun-selor Horta e Costa, is under discussion.

Bidding fee raised It is reported that at the session of Mu-nicipal Council of Ilhas, the bidding feefor a parcel of land in the district wasraised to Rs260.

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

Cops andpeddlers

Amazing, is it not, that our police find it so easy to catch 19-year-old students from Andhra Pradesh carrying just 10grams of Ganja, but are so hard put to hold on to large-

scale drug peddlers who have strong connections to tainted po-licemen and powerful politicians? On Monday 23 August, theday when Goa Police arrested a 19-year-old smoking a joint onColva Beach with just 10 grams of Ganja (Marijuana) in his pocket,they also let it be known that Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benahimalias Atala out on bail in the celebrated Drug Mafia-Cop-PoliticianNexus case was missing.

Atala was arrested after his former girlfriend, Lucky Amorialias Farmhouse, posted a video on YouTube of the drug dealerboasting about his connections with the police. Seven policemen,including an Inspector were also arrested in the case. All were re-leased on bail. Significantly, the bail given to Atala and his copaccomplices has not been challenged in a higher court.

Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar and the ruling Na-tionalist Congress Party (NCP) have asked that the case be handedover to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They suspectthat Roy Naik, the son of Home Minister Ravi Naik, is involved inthe case.

The politics behind these demands is of no interest to us, noris it material to the case. But is it not curious that the police havenot challenged the bail given to their fellow cops and Atala? Inevery other high profile case in recent times, police have gonein appeal when bail has been granted. Why not in this case?

Curiouser still is the fact that they did not keep an eye onAtala. The Israeli drug dealer was required to report to the Inves-tigating Officer as and when required for investigations. But itseems, since his release, he was called to the Crime Branch justonce, on 7 July. The next time they called him was 7 August,when he failed to turn up. Police investigations have shown thathe checked out of his hotel on 13 July, and disappeared.

Police now say they have posted a look-out notice for him, sohe will not be able to leave the country. But that was done onlyon 25 August, more than a month after he went missing. Whatare the chances that he is still in this country?

Most curious of all are the circumstances in which Atala wasreleased on bail. The bail order sets down three principal reasonsfor letting him go. One is that nothing incriminating was foundin a search of his house. Another was that the policemen involved,including prime accused Ashish Shirodkar and Shaish Pokle hadalready been released on bail, and he deserved to get bail ongrounds of parity. But the third and most important reason wasthat though the basis of the case was the video clippings madeby his former girlfriend Lucky Amori alias Farmhouse, no statementof Lucky had been recorded by the police.

In its order granting bail to the policemen, the Bombay HighCourt at Goa had observed that the Police Department couldeasily have sent a responsible IPS officer to record her statement.Despite this, the police didnt do it. Consequently, they did nothave a strong enough prima facie case to warrant Atalas continueddetention.

Atala seems very dear to the police. Even after it has becomeamply evident that he has fled, the Crime Branch DySP ChandrakantSalgaonkar took the trouble to clarify that he is not an absconder,and that he may emerge tomorrow. Of course he may. It cannotbe ruled out. Neither for that matter can it be ruled out that pigscan fly.

But for those with any commonsense, Atala is gone. Mostlikely, he will not return. Neither, for that matter, will the credibilityof the Crime Branch.

Is Kashmir burning?

On a train to Darjeeling in 1946, Jesus called a nun to Come,be my light. That woman became Mother Teresa of Calcutta,and spread that light throughout the world, caring for the

poorest of the poor, opening hundreds of orphanages, hospices,health clinics and soup kitchens.

Mother Teresa hasnt any children of her own, but she is theworlds most famous Mother. Her name itself conjures the imageof a woman who was compassion incarnate for the destitute, sick,abandoned and dying. Everywhere she looked, she saw sadness.There was so much to do. She started with a small home at Kalighat,Kolkata, on 22 August 1952. When she died at the age of 87, therewere 3,917 sisters serving in 594 missions in 123 countries.

Walk into a Mother Teresa centre and a visitor receives a sincerewelcome, no matter how small the apartment or how drab theirrooms. A visit to Asilo at Panjim is not only an eye-opener, but alsoa heart-n-soul opener. As humanity at large lives in hope, the inmatestoo do so, irrespective of all the real yet artificial barriers. One cansee it in their smiles, in their lighted eyes, in their little talks, inthe handshakes.

Children will be children. They come to you with open arms andshining eyes. The nuns love for them is obvious. They must be

missing so many things, but they have a shelter. I found them fullof fun, so much larger than life, bouncing with boundless energy.They come to you inviting affection, tugging at your clothes,holding your hand, asking for piggy-back rides, to be tossed intothe air or swung round.

Some have sores, some shaven heads; some are very thin, othersmentally retarded. But tiny as they are, they have lots to give. And,its a pity sometimes that there is no hand stretched to receive it.

I saw a woman. At first, I was afraid to get closer to her. Myheart sank. But, when very near to despair, something inside com-manded me firmly to touch her, sit by her side and tell her she isnot forgotten. For a hanging second, she rolled her eyes towardsHeaven and unconsciously made the sign of the cross. Her mouthopened as if to say: Is it true? Her eyes shone like the stars of asummer night.

Their bodies may be debilitated, yet they are so cheerful. I nevercease to be amazed at the joy they radiate and the sense of victory,of belonging, which clings to them. The main thing is that theywant and need someone to talk to. They dont want to be treatedas deadbeats any more than the rest of us.

The Missionaries of Charity solely depends on the generosity of

its supporters. God sends whatever the people need, says SisterBernadette. The sisters belonging to this congregation wear whitesaris with a blue trim and sandals. Said one ageing man whopainfully hobbled to greet the nuns with a carton of fruits, tippinghis hat: Why, they are angels incarnate!

Mother Teresa was born of Albanian parents. A tiny stoopingfigure less than five feet tall, she had a huge heart filled with loveand compassion for everyone, irrespective of colour, nationality,creed and gender. She carried everything she owned in a wee clothbag, including the Rosary beads, which made many simplify theirown lives.

The work of Blessed Mother Teresa and her Missionaries ofCharity earned accolades from Catholics and non-Catholics alike,including awards such as the Nobel Peace Prize and the PresidentialMedal of Freedom.

In honour of the 100th anniversary of this holy womans birth 26 August the day will be marked all over the world. In allprobability, the tower lights of New Yorks Empire State Buildingwill shine blue and white the colours of the Missionaries ofCharity.

GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 2010

Pg9OHERALD

O

Saffron terrorism emergingas new phenomenon: PC

PTI

NEW DELHI, AUG 25

Warning that there has been no

let up in attempts to radicalise

the youth, Home Minister P Chi-

dambaram today said a new

phenomenon of saffron terror-

ism involved in many bomb

blasts has been uncovered.

Inaugurating a conference of

chiefs of police forces of thecountry, Chidambaram also ex-

pressed concern over the situ-

ation in Kashmir valley and

hoped that in the next few days,

a starting point would be

found to reach out to the pro-

testors and restart the process

of a dialogue.There is no let up in the at-

tempts to radicalize young menand women in India. Besides,there is recently uncovered phe-nomenon of saffron terrorismthat has been implicated inmany bomb blasts of the past,he said.

Chidambaram said beginning2005 and with the exception of2008, the law and order situa-tion in J&K has been extremelybenign with few incidents andfewer casualties.

Unfortunately since June thisyear, there has been an unex-pected turn of events, he said.

I am afraid J&K is now

caught in a vicious cycle of stone

pelting, lathicharge, teargassing

and firing, leading to casualties

and resulting in more stone pelt-

ing, he said.The home minister said the

security forces have been in-structed to act with great re-straint and the situation has notyet returned to normal.

Chidambaram said the Cen-tral government has acknowl-edged that a political solutionmust be found to the problemsof J&K and the Central govern-ment has offered a dialogue withall sections of the people andpolitical parties and groups ofthe State.

We are concerned that wehave not been able to stop thevicious cycle in which the Stateis caught. However, it is my hopethat, in the next few days, wewould be able to find that elu-sive 'starting point' from wherewe could reach out to the pro-testors, reassure them of theirrights and dignity, restore peaceand order, redeem the promisesmade, and re-start the processof a dialogue that will lead to asolution, he said

GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST, 2010HERALD Pg10

Kareena getsRampal

hooked to yogaPTI

NEW DELHI, AUG 25

She is known to be a sticklerfor fitness and actress KareenaKapoor also gets her co-starshooked on to yoga. Her latestconvert is her 'We Are family'co-star Arjun Rampal.

The actor said that the 29-year-old actress is a strict disci-plinarian when it comes toworking out.

You can't work with Kareenaand not do yoga. It is a giventhat you will have to include itin your fitness regime. Shemakes sure that you work outand keep fit, said Rampal.

The 37-year-old actor was inthe capital on Tuesday with theactress, who plays his girlfriendin the film. The stars, who havebeen paired together for thefirst time, have also developeda bond off-screen.

We were stuck in a convert-ible for 16 hours together, whilethe crew were taking shots fromchoppers. Had it been with any-body else, we would have prob-ably killed ourselves,

but Kareena was very enter-taining, said Rampal.

Kareena has been a completerevelation after this film. Wehave a lot of things in common.She is also a foodie like me, headded.

MORE OBITUARIES ON

PAGE 2

GOA, THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 2010

Pg11OHERALD

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AFP

BAGHDAD, AUG 25

A series of apparently co-ordi-nated car bombs targeting po-lice across Iraq on Wednesdaykilled 41 people, includingwomen and children, one dayafter the US military confirmeda major troop reduction.

In Baghdad, a suicide car at-tacker blew up his vehicle at apolice station in the northeast-ern suburb of Qahira, killing 15people, including two women,two children and two police,and wounding dozens, securityand medical officials said.

The attack in the mixed Sunniand Shiite neighbourhood took

place around 8 am, accordingto an interior ministry officialwho gave the toll. "The victimsinclude policemen and civilians,"he said.

A doctor at Medical City Hos-pital said they had received thebodies of two women, two chil-dren and two police officers,and that 44 other people werereceiving treatment.

In an equally lethal attack, acar bomb at a passport officein Kut, 160 kilometres southeastof Baghdad, killed 15 people,including at least 10 police, andwounded 45 people, most ofthem police, Lieutenant Ali Hus-sein told AFP.

A series of car bomb attacksin five other towns and citiesraised the nationwide toll to 41,and almost 200 wounded.

A spike in unrest over the pasttwo months has triggered con-cern that Iraqi forces are not yetready to handle security on theirown, and with no new govern-ment formed in Baghdad sincea March 7 general election.

A US Army statement yesterdaysaid troop levels were below50,000 in line with PresidentBarack Obama's direction as partof a "responsible drawdown" oftroops, seven years on from theinvasion that ousted Saddam Hus-sein.

41 killed as car bombstarget Iraqi police

Security members gather at the site of a bomb attack in Basra, 420 km (261 miles) southeast of Baghdad,on Wednesday.

PTI