log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 2025 GOA Markets steady as investors track US tariffs, earnings and European cues IN SHORT >> Goan filmmaker wins Filmfare Award PANAJI: Goa’s rising filmmaker Aditya Jambhale bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director for his acclaimed political action drama Article 370. The film, which explores the events surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, marks Jambhale’s debut as a feature film director. International Purple Fest concludes PANAJI: The International Purple Fest 2025 concluded on Sunday with a vibrant closing ceremony. The event featured captivating cultural performances while the energetic Purple Marathon drew over 500 participants. “Purple Ambassadors” were also honoured alongside commendations for outstanding athletes.  >> See pg 6 Gambling raid at Nessai, 20 arrested MARGAO: In a major gambling raid conducted by the Maina Curtorim police at Nessai in Sao Jose de Areal, cash amounting to Rs 4.40 lakh was seized and around 20 persons arrested in the operation. The raid was conducted on Sunday noon in a closed premises near the Nessai Gate.  >> See pg 2 BJP, JD(U) seal poll pact in Bihar NEW DELHI: The BJP and the JD(U) will each contest on 101 seats in the Bihar assembly elections, while Union minister Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party will field candidates on 29 seats, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced. >> See pg 7 West Bengal rape: Three arrested KOLKATA: Three persons were arrested on Sunday for their alleged involvement in the ‘’gang rape’’ of a student of a private medical college in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, police said. Police also detained another person suspecting his role in the incident. WEATHER >> Max: 32.9 C Min: 24.5 C Humidity: 89% The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 116 GOA Govt places bets on veggies to up Goa’s agri profile, names ambassador RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 SPORTS INFO ICC Women’s World Cup: India suffers second loss as Aussies win in Vizag Habits that damage your hair and cause split ends TOURISM MINISTER HINTS AT ‘SCRIPTED TWIST’; CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO THOSE WHO ‘PUT WORDS IN RAMA’S MOUTH’ THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The latest political storm in Goa’s already charged atmosphere revolves around the statement of social activist Rama Kankonkar, who has now sensationally named Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in connection with his assault. What might have otherwise remained a local law-and-order issue has suddenly turned into a political controversy – one that Khaunte said reeks of “a motivated narrative.” The minister suggested that he sees a deeper design in the way events have unfolded since the assault. “When the assault happened, a complaint was filed and within 24 hours, all the accused were arrested. The police acted swiftly,” Khaunte said, pointing out that the system had functioned efficiently. But the minister’s real concern, he said, is what hap- A narrative under construction? MAPUSA: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte believes that the seeds of this controversy were sown much earlier. “When the assault happened, there were already attempts to build a narrative,” he said, adding that “Rama today is playing to that same narrative.” Khaunte’s remarks reflect a growing unease within the government over what it perceives as an orchestrated attempt to turn an individual’s grievance into a political weapon. BIGGER PICTURE: For now, pened after the arrest. For 23 days, as Rama lay recovering, his case drew visitors and attention from across the political spectrum.  “Rama was met by politicians including Opposition leaders, activists and even the CM himself, who also gave him police protection,” Khaunte noted. the police investigation continues. But in the court of public opinion, the battle lines seem drawn. The opposition sees an opportunity to question the State’s handling of dissent and safety of activists, while the government insists that the real story lies elsewhere – in the motives behind the new accusations. And as Goa watches the unfolding drama, one question lingers: is Rama’s voice his own, or an echo of the political chorus around him? The question, he said, is not about the assault anymore but about the shift in narrative. “If Rama speaks the truth, why did he not tell the CM then that he was involved? And when he was discharged on the 23rd day, suddenly he took the CM’s and my name – who made him say this? FROM CALANGUTE TO ANJUNA AND BEYOND… Rash driving, drunken brawls tarnish early tourism season FEAR OF LAW & ORDER AMONG TOURISTS YET TO SET IN AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA Goa has long prided itself on its hospitality – the laidback vibe and that deeply ingrained belief in “Atithi Devo Bhava” – the guest is indeed like God. But what happens when the guests forget to behave like one? As the State gears up for another busy tourism season, a troubling pattern has begun to emerge – one where the spirit of welcome is being tested by a growing number of tourists who confuse freedom with license. String of reckless acts Take last week, for instance. On Wednesday, a tourist driving an SUV at Assagao reportedly knocked down a 45-year-old local from Siolim and dragged him for nearly 15 metres. The man now lies in the intensive care unit of the Goa Medical College, fighting for his life. Nuisance in coastal belt Barely a day later, a BMW allegedly driven by tourists ploughed into locals, including a child, in Calangute. The tourist who was at the wheel instead of attending to the seriously injured, ran away from the spot. The incident triggered public anger, with residents gathering at the police station demanding accountability. And these were not isolated episodes, although police have arrested the drivers in both the cases. Earlier in the week, a group of tourists, allegedly drunk, damaged several parked two-wheelers in Candolim, leaving behind a trail of broken mirrors and bent wheels. In yet another late-night episode, police detained five tourists from Karnataka for creating a ruckus along the Saligao road while drinking on the roadside. Empty beer bottles lay scattered in their vehicle as evidence of their carefree disregard for the law. Several past incidents have highlighted how some tourists treat Goa’s roads – and even its beaches – as playgrounds, driving recklessly while sitting on car bonnets, hanging out of windows or taking their vehicles onto the sand. Though police have booked offenders in many such cases, the fear of law and sense of discipline are yet to truly set in. Each of these incidents – >Continued on P7 6-hr Goa-Mumbai drive still a distant dream NHAI now working on 2026-27 deadline to complete highway THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he much touted six-hour drives between Goa and Mumbai are still a year or more away as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Maharashtra government’s Public Works Department (PWD) have once again revised the completion deadlines for late 2026 or latest by the first quarter of 2027. Initially set for completion and commissioning in late 2023, the NH-66 project which was said will make the Goa-Mumbai road trip a six-hour affair has faced multiple delays mostly owing Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 12 2 10 BJP slams Kankonkar, Political undercurrents at play says charges against after Kankonkar allegations CM, Khaunte baseless Two years on, River Sal flood control plan in limbo >> pg 8 Facebook.com/thegoan T to land acquisition issues and pre-construction environmental clearances in Maharashtra particularly in the 466-kilometre section between Panvel and Sindhudurg. Currently, travel time between Mumbai and Goa is between 12-13 hours. The NH-66 which is also referred to as the ‘Konkan Expressway’ was first set a completion date of December 2023. But the project faced multiple delays due to problems in land acquisition on the Panvel–Indapur section which is being executed by the NHAI. NHAI officials have now said that these issues have been resolved, including the difficulty in securing environmental clearances after the proposal to construct a flyover in the Karnala sanctuary was dropped. Ten sections make up the whole project -- two in Sindhudurg district which are almost complete at 99 per cent, five are in Ratnagiri district two of which are 92 per cent and 98 per cent complete while two more are already completed, and three in Raigad district of which two are nearly completed and the third is at 50 per cent completing stage, according to the NHAI officials. Earlier in April this year, >Continued on P7 This must be investigated,” Khaunte asserted. Calling the issue “very serious,” the Tourism Minister demanded a probe into “who put words in Rama’s mouth” and suggested that political motives may be at play. Khaunte also pointed out that Kankonkar’s claim of losing faith in the police, ad- Several dead as Pak, Taliban soldiers clash PTI KABUL Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban regime’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Sunday announced that overnight clashes along the Durand Line, aka Afghanistan-Pakistan border, led to the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and injured 30 others. Zabihullah Mujahid also accused Islamabad of providing shelter to violent hardline terrorist group, the Islamic State, using state apparatus. On the other hand, the Pakistan army said over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were killed in intense overnight clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The statement comes amid Pakistan seizing 19 Afghan military posts and “terrorist hideouts” in response to what it termed “unprovoked” attacks by Afghan forces in the border areas. Kankonkar’s first statement holds more evidential value, asserts SP PANAJI: A day after activist Rama Kankonkar levelled allegations against the government and police, North Goa SP Rahul Gupta said that the first statement given by the victim carries substantial evidential value than any later versions. He also stated that the investigation will continue based on the fresh statements.  >> See pg 3 vocates and judiciary raises a larger question.  “If he has no trust in anyone, then whom is he trusting? This needs to be asked,” he remarked, hinting at possible external influence shaping the activist’s statements. WANTS POLICE TO PROBE ROOT CAUSE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a thorough investigation into the root cause of allegations made against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in the Rama Kankonkar case. The party has claimed possible political involvement behind dictating terms to the victim. Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade described the accusations as “baseless” and emphasized that the victim and his family have been changing their statements since the beginning. Tanavade stated that the investigation so far has been fair and free from political interference. He added that the Chief Minister has given the police full freedom to conduct an independent probe, and the focus should now be on understanding why such allegations were made in the first place. The party stressed that while the legal process continues, it is important for the authorities to investigate the underlying reasons behind Police should investigate the root cause of making such allegations… the victim & his family has been changing statements since day one... it is very important for everyone to know what forced the victim to make such statement after 23 days — Sadanand Tanavade the claims, to prevent misuse of the legal system and safeguard public trust. “The allegations made by the victim, post discharge from the hospital, against CM and Minister are baseless. BJP demand that police should investigate the root cause of making such allegations; the victim & his family has been changing statements since day one. It is very important for everyone to know what >Continued on P7 Panaji’s smart city journey hits delays, projects still pending OFFICIAL PROGRESS OF WORKS @ 91% COMPLETION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Nearly a decade after Panaji’s quest to become a smart  city began in 2015-16, Goa’s capital is still a distance away from turning smart with several of the projects under the ‘Smart City Mission’ yet to achieve 100% completion. Officially, the status of works is at 91% completion, with only 31 of the 35 projects taken up completed, including the smart classrooms, solid waste management initiative and the ‘Promenade’ along the Mandovi river, according to Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the State government to implement the ‘smart city’ work. Apart from projects re- SMART CITY: KEY HURDLES „„Many Smart City projects remain incomplete „„General indiscipline among vehicle users, especially illegal parking on roads „„Parking spaces on sidings not being used properly „„Non-completion of smart bus-stop shelters affecting traffic flow „„Inoperative bus-stops reducing the efficiency of the intra-city e-bus service maining incomplete, another hurdle faced by the capital to truly function as a ‘smart city’ particularly in terms of flow of traffic along the ‘smart roads’ is the general indiscipline among vehicle users particularly related to parking. “Despite parking alleys being provided on sidings, vehicle users continue to park on the roads effectively negating the benefits of constructing the smart roads,” a senior IPSCDL official told The Goan. The official, who did not wish to be identified since he is not authorised to speak to the media, however admitted that non-completion of the smart ‘bus-stop’ shelters is another factor which has hampered traffic flow in the city. The intra-city e-bus service >Continued on P7