log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 86 Instagram.com/thegoanonline PAKISTAN BEATS OMAN BY 93 RUNS IN ASIA CUP RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 >>13 CBC 15502/13/0012/2526 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan Tight vigil at BITS campus, cops monitor online orders for drugs STRICT WATCH AT GATES, STEPS AIMED AT PREVENTING NARCOTICS, PROHIBITED ITEMS FROM SLIPPING IN THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO The death of 20-year-old Rishi Nair, a 2nd-year student in the Physics stream, inside the BITS Pilani campus has triggered a series of security measures, with Verna police now stepping up investigations and deploying staff at the institute’s gates to screen food and other parcels ordered online by students. Nair, who was found dead in his hostel room earlier this month, initially appeared to have choked on his vomit while asleep. However, subsequent forensic tests revealed traces of drugs, linking his death to substance abuse and sparking outrage among locals, parents, political parties and student groups. His death, the fifth on page 6 ‘Market’ hall turns to worship centre for Goans in Hounslow Architect documents Islamic Heritage of Goa in new book IN SHORT >> School principal booked for assault PANAJI: Valpoi police have booked the principal of a local school for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old student with a wooden stick. The incident occurred on September 11, when the Class VIII boy sustained injuries to his knee and left hip. The complaint was lodged by the boy’s mother at the Valpoi police station. `20L fraud busted, Kerala youth held PANAJI: The Cyber Crime Cell of the Goa police arrested a youth from Thrissur, Kerala, in connection with Rs 20.23 lakh fake investment fraud. Police said the case was registered following a plaint by a Bardez resident. >> See pg 3 BITS Pilani has 600 CCTV cameras installed on its campus Source of drugs, place where they were consumed being probed: SP VASCO: Amid a wave of criticism and mounting concerns over student safety following a series of tragic deaths of students on its campus, BITS Pilani, had already installed nearly 600 CCTV cameras across its sprawling campus, including hostel corridors and common areas. According to sources from within the BITS Pilani management, the institute had undertaken a major step towards enhancing surveillance by installing around 600 CCTV cameras across the campus. With over 4,500 students and 22 hostels, the scale of the project was substantial.  >> See pg 2 the campus in the last nine months, has intensified calls for stronger security and preventive measures. Sources confirmed that the police deployment at campus gates began earlier this week, with staff instructed to care- fully inspect parcels brought in by delivery agents. The step is aimed at preventing narcotics or other prohibited items from slipping into the hostels under the guise of online orders. “There have been five MARGAO: South Goa district police Chief, SP Tikam Singh Verma has said that the police launched a probe into the death of the BITS Pilani student, to find the source of drugs and the place the deceased had consumed the drugs which proved fatal. With the Goa police coming under the scanner after the test confirmed the presence of drugs in the body of the deceased, Verma said the Men-in-Uniform are determined to break the link between drug peddlers, underscoring the need to stop drugs from entering the educational institutions. >> See pg 2 deaths of students in the BITS Pilani campus in the last nine months. However, this is the first time that the role of drugs has been established in the death of the student. The police have stepped up the investigation into the incident,” said a source. “The Verna police have now deployed staff to check for any parcels that come into the campus which may be ordered by the students on an >Continued on P8 US dream of 3 Goans KA renovation work shattered, deported violated tender: HC  TRIO LAND IN STATE  NEARLY 20 GOANS HAVE RETURNED SO FAR WANTS LIABILITY FIXED ON OFFICERS, ASKS GOVT TO REMAIN VIGILANT FRANKEY FERNANDES THE GOAN I MELBOURNE THE GOAN I NETWORK Three Goans deported from the United States landed in Goa on Friday morning, after being part of a group of nearly 150 illegal immigrants repatriated by US authorities this week. The three Goans were placed on an Air India flight that took off from Alexandria in Louisiana, before being routed via California, Kolkata, and New Delhi The three Goans were placed on an Air India flight that took off from Alexandria in Louisiana, before being routed via California, Kolkata, and New Delhi. On arrival in the capital, the Goa NRI Commissioner’s office arranged their accommodation at the Goa Sadan and later facilitated their onward travel to Goa. One of the deportees, a youth from Quepem, faced difficulties at the New Delhi airport when immigration officials confiscated his passport. Goa’s Commissioner for NRI Affairs Narendra Sawaikar then personally contacted the officials concerned late Thursday night to ensure the youth did not face further hardship with his travel documents. Sources informed that since the US government began deporting illegal immigrants, nearly 20 Goans have returned to the State. Faster Passport Services Meanwhile, in a separate development, NRI Commissioner Sawaikar has written to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention to address passport-related challenges faced by Goan NRIs in the United States. In his letter, Sawaikar highlighted that many Goans are looking to return home due to the prevailing situation in >Continued on P8 PANAJI In a major setback to the State government, the High Court of Bombay at Goa, in its interim order, held that the renovation work at Kala Academy was undertaken without following the mandatory tender process.  The Bench stated it is more concerned with the completion of the work while directing the State to ensure it is covered under the defect liability clause The Court directed that liability be fixed on government officers for bypassing the tendering process, and asked the government to remain vigilant to ensure that any shoddy or defective works fall under the defect liability clause. "The liability will be fixed upon the concerned officers of the Government of Goa for bypassing the tender pro- cess, which is expected to be a transparent process with much competitive spirit and choosing the Respondent no. 5 M/s Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd Andheri East Mumbai, as the agency for accomplishing the work of structural repair and renovation of Kala Academy," the Division Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Ashish Chavan observed while hearing a PIL filed by Durgadas Kamat.  The Bench further stated it is more concerned with the completion of the work while directing the State to ensure it is covered under the defect liability clause.  "...if the work as alleged by the petition is shabby/defective then if as per the work order for a huge and slumping sum of Rs 39,63,73,158 we expect the State government to be vigilant in ensuring that if the work is shoddy or defective ... then the structure must be accordingly repaired/ renovated as per the work order," >Continued on P8 AS GOA PUSHES AHEAD WITH RELOCATION PLAN… Centre to study voluntary rehab in wildlife areas THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI s Goa government eyes “voluntary rehabilitation” of hamlets/human habitations in the protected areas, the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has decided to study global best practices on the relocation of communities located within sanctuaries or national parks and draft nation-wide guidelines. The State government had in April, directed the Forest Department to identify isolated hamlets/human habitations in protected areas but deprived of civic amenities, for “voluntary rehabilitation” A HAMLETS AT CROSSROADS „„The move aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and strengthen conservation efforts „„A study on international best practices, existing policies, and programmes for community NBWL panel considering extend- relocation will be undertaken ing voluntary relocation policy „„Proposal discussed and beyond tiger reserve core areas decided in the Committee’s to buffer zones, corridors etc August meeting by “surrendering their rights or claims” on the sanctuary or national park area.   The Standing Committee of NBWL is considering extend- ing the voluntary relocation policy, currently implemented in Tiger Reserve core areas, to communities in critical biodiversity-rich areas, buffer GOA PUSH In April Forest Dept had been directed to identify isolated hamlets/human habitations in protected areas but deprived of civic amenities, for ‘voluntary rehabilitation’ by ‘surrendering their rights or claims’ zones, and wildlife corridors to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and enhance conservation. Accordingly, the Committee during its meeting in August decided that a study on the global best practices on the relocation of communities from Protected Areas and works done, policy and programmes in place regarding relocation would be undertaken.  “The main aim is to mitigate human-wildlife conflict,” the committee said. In Goa, the Forest Department is also examining the practices adopted by the Centre across with regards to relocation of habitats from Tiger Reserve areas. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister >Continued on P8 SC-mandated rules under lens, were they followed? Investigation still at preliminary stage, to be completed within a week: Collector THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO As South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, initiates an inquiry into the recent death of a 20-yearold BITS Pilani student, the Supreme Court’s guidelines on student mental health and suicide prevention have come sharply into focus. These guidelines, issued by the country’s apex court in the case of Sukdeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (Supreme Court, 25 July 2025), will form the basis of the Collector’s investigation. According to sources, the inquiry will determine whether BITS Pilani, Goa, had implemented the Supreme Court-mandated norms on student mental health and suicide prevention, and whether relevant authorities ensured compliance within the institute. Following the tragic death UNIFORM MENTAL HEALTH POLICY „„All educational institutions must adopt and implement a mental health policy, drawing from UMMEED draft guidelines, MANODARPAN, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy „„Policy to be reviewed and displayed on websites/notice boards „„Institutions with 100-plus students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor/psychologist/social worker trained in child & adolescent mental health „„Smaller institutions must establish referral linkages with external professionals of student Rishi Nair, Collector Egna Cleetus visited the BITS Pilani campus. Sub-committees formed under her direction have already briefed her on preliminary findings as the probe moves toward its logical conclusion. Significantly, the Supreme Court has declared these guidelines to be binding— similar to the Vishaka guide- lines—until formal legislation is enacted. Speaking to The Goan, Collector Egna confirmed that the inquiry remains at a preliminary stage but is expected to be completed within a week. She emphasized that the primary focus of the investigation will be to assess whether BITS Pilani >Continued on P8 5 villages to face water curbs on Sept 16 THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Work to lay 350 mm water pipeline at Bodginim-Mapusa will be undertaken by the Department of Drinking Water on September 16. As a result, there will be limited water supply in the entire panchayat areas of​​ Assagao, Anjuna-Caisua, Parra, Arpora-Nagoa and some parts of Calangute. At present, the road-widening work is going on between Gan- dhi Chowk and Bodginim along the Mapusa-Calangute road. The DDW has decided to relocate the water pipeline located on the side of the bridge at Bodginim on Sept 16. Also, an interconnection will be provided to this pipeline.