log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2024 GOA @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 288 Baba Dempo makes quiet entry in Salcete, campaigns with the goodwill of football 2 GOA Forest Dept approves move to translocate banyan tree, cut rain tree 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Skin pigmentation: Ways you can treat it at home 2 more arrested for links to Dabolim cash seizure CASH OF `8 LAKH RECOVERED FROM 2 POLL OFFICERS THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO/PANAJI Police investigations into the reported rogue seizure of Rs 16 lakh by two election officials at Dabolim last Sunday have led to the recovery of Rs 8 lakh, the arrest of two more persons and the suspension of two constables. While the two poll officers, Anirudha Pawar (41) and Nitish Naik (34) were arrested by police under Sections 419 and 384 of IPC on Wednesday night, two more persons arrested in the case were Keshav Khandvekar (48) and one Chandan Yadav (37) of Dabolim. ARRESTS According to police sources, while Keshav Khandvekar was the driver attached to the flying squad vehicle, Yadav, who managed a fast food cen- IN SHORT >> Water level in four dams below 50% MAPUSA: Water levels in four of the seven key dams in the State have dropped below 50%. WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar has reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm, emphasising that water levels in all seven dams across the State are relatively consistent compared to levels observed in the past two years.  >> See pg 3 IMD predicts rain from April 7 to 9 PANAJI: The India Meteorological Department has forecast light rain in some places from April 7 to 9, extending the earlier forecast that only covered April 6 and 7. 3 Delhiites held for road rage in Panaji PANAJI: Panaji police have arrested three Delhiites for indulging in road rage outside a casino in Panaji. Acting on a social media posting showing the men in a rented car creating a ruckus in the middle of the road, the Panaji police traced the tourists who were identified as Prajwal Awasti, Bhavneet Singh and Saheb Singh Bhatia all hailing from Delhi. The police informed that the accused were arrested under section 160 CrPC. Two policemen placed under suspension VASCO: South Goa SP Sunita Sawant on Thursday issued the suspension of two policemen, Head Constable Vinayak Kalgutkar and Constable Anand Naik, both attached to the Vasco Railway Police station. Sources in the police claimed that both the suspended police constables were present in the flying squad vehicles and on election duty on March 31 when the incident is reported to have occurred. “One policeman had verbally informed tre, was allegedly the informant who provided information of the two Delhi-based businessmen and the cash that they were carrying to Nitish Naik, who pulled off the seizure while impersonating as Income-Tax officer while being on election duty. All four persons involved in the incident were arrested and were later granted bail by a the office that he wanted leave to attend a birthday of a relative and was granted holiday and though he was not physically present during the incident, he was expected to report the case when he came on duty the next day which did not happen. The other policeman was present during the incident but he also failed to report the incident and they have now been facing disciplinary action and have been suspended,” said the source. JMFC court in Vasco. "The four accused were produced before the JMFC but their lawyers had already moved for their bail and all the four accused were granted conditional bail and each person has been directed to give one surety, to deposit Rs 20,000 and be present for investigation as and when called by the police," said the REPERCUSSIONS source. RECOVERY Verna police on Thursday recovered Rs 8 lakh in cash from Nitish Naik and Aniruddha Pawar, two poll officers who were suspended and later arrested on charges of illegally seizing cash from two Delhi-based real estate businessmen, Ashok Chaudhary Contempt notices on ‘parade and pose’ stunt spurs debate OFFICIALS POINT TO CASES WHERE VICTIMS PERSONALLY VISIT POLICE STATION TO VERIFY ARREST OF ACCUSED POINTS OF CONCERN THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The contempt notice from the Bombay High Court at Goa regarding the 'parade and pose' stunt might have certainly prompted some police officials to reassess their actions; however, it has also sparked a debate about the necessity of revealing the accused, albeit with muffled face. In cases where it is crucial to reassure the crime victim that accused has been arrested, such as in instances of rape, there have been occasions where victims personally visit the police station to verify the arrest of the accused. A senior police officer highlighted several cases, especially in instances of rape, where victims personally visit the police station to confirm the arrest. “In numerous cases such as rape, robbery, and other serious offenses, victims are adamant until they are personally assured that the accused is taken into custody. Hence, we photograph the accused, although by keeping their faces muffled, until the completion of the test identi- „„In cases such as rape, robbery and other serious offenses victims are adamant until they are personally assured that the accused is taken into custody „„The purpose of parading the accused is not to shame, humiliate or violate their human rights, but to reassure the victim that police action is indeed taken „„FROM THE FILES: In 2019, the HC Bench had directed PI Kapil Nayak and SI Amin Naik -- then posted at Mapusa -- to compensate a woman with Rs 30,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for having violated her human and fundamental rights to privacy and dignity with impunity fication parade,” the officer explained while speaking to The Goan. According to the Evidence Act and Supreme Court rulings, particularly concerning rape cases, it is mandatory to conceal the face of the accused in public until the test identification parade. Failure to adhere to this guideline results in ineffective test identification parade wherein this crucial exercise becomes meaningless and the accused can take advantage of it. The Division Bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice Valmiki Menezes on Tuesday issued contempt notices to six and Pawankumar Sharma, at Vales Junction, Dabolim on Sunday evening. "The police recovered Rs 4 lakh in cash from Nitish Naik and Rs 4 lakh in cash from Aniruddha Pawar in the incident. While the businessmen had complained that Rs 16 lakh had been seized on March 31, both the accused have informed Verna Police that only Rs 8 lakh had been seized in the incident,” said a top source in Goa Police. officers including Superintendent of Police Bossuet Silva. While majority of them were photographed alongside a mother who had been arrested for abandoning her child, the SP was photographed with an accused in a drug seizure operation. While acknowledging the High Court’s authority, another officer emphasized that the purpose of parading the accused is not to shame, humiliate, or violate their human rights; but to reassure the victim that police action is indeed taken. >Continued on P5 A top election official has admitted that none of the procedures mandated in cases of cash seizures during election time were followed in the Dabolim case which has embarrassed the entire machinery in the State. “The incident could >Continued on P5 9 SPORTS Punjab Kings beats Gujarat Titans in last-over finish 13 Dawn of new mining era in Goa; Vedanta starts Ops BICHOLIM BLOCK IS THE FIRST AUCTIONED MINE TO BECOME OPERATIONAL SINCE MARCH 2018 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In what could give a major push to Goa's economy, the much awaited iron ore mining activities have commenced in the State after a gap of over six years, with M/s Vedanta Limited starting operations of its Mineral Block at Bicholim. Bicholim Mineral Block -- comprising of Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem and Sirigao villages -- is the first auctioned mine to become operational since March 2018, following a blanket ban on mining by the Supreme Court. The Apex Court had quashed the second renewals granted to all 88 mining leases, directing the State to opt for auction mode. The mineral block, with an area of 478.5206 ha is located in Bicholim is the only block that has been granted Environment Clearance (EC) by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), followed Historic day for Goa: Sawant PANAJI: Ecstatic over the commencement of mining in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said it has revived the key economic backbone of the State. “I congratulate Vedanta for the commencement of mining in Bicholim. Due to the ban since 2012, stakeholders, people and the State of Goa faced many hardships”, he said. I wholeheartedly thank the union Government led by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for continued support to resolve the issue, he said. Stating that it was the consistent efforts of our government, Sawant said “we carried out a transparent process to auction the mining blocks in the state... with this not only the State, but also stakeholders will benefit with enhanced revenue”. Increased revenues will lead to enhanced ability to invest more in welfare schemes, infrastructure development and take the State towards Viksit Goa, he added. by Consent to Operate by the Goa State Pollution Control Board. The mineral block has got permission for production of three million tonnes per annum (MPTA) of iron ore. "Heralding a new era of inclusive development, Vedanta Sesa Goa commenced mining operations at Bicholim Mineral Block -- Block 1 in the State >Continued on P5 Ensure non-stop supply during summer: Govt to power plants PTI NEW DELHI The government has asked all power plants to operate at full capacity as it pulls all the stops to meet peak electricity demand in the searing summer season, Power Minister R K Singh said on Thursday. With the MET Dept forecasting a harsh and long summer, the government has asked all plants that are shut for maintenance or other reasons, to quickly start operating and harness surplus power available at generating stations dedicated to specific users. The government is also ensuring that thermal power plants -- the backbone of India's electricity supply -- have enough coal stocks to last through June and has asked all units to offer their uncontracted or surplus power in power exchanges. Singh exuded confidence of meeting peak summer demand without any disruption. He said, “we are mobilising our entire capacity whether it is thermal, hydro, renewable or gas-based. So I think we will meet the demand.” The Ministry has projected a peak power demand of 260 gigawatt (GW) this summer (April-June). RISKY MOVES: Bike riders navigate heavy traffic with reckless manoeuvers on the congested Porvorim highway on Thursday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Booster for Goa; request for joint Mhadei basin inspection okayed THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Mhadei Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) has accepted Goa Government's request for a joint inspection to study the Mhadei river basin. However, it has asked all three riparian States -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra -- to communicate the dates, as per their flexibility, to conduct the inspection. Speaking to The Goan, Minister for Water Resources (WRD) Subhash Shirodkar said that State has received a communication from PRAWAH, two days back, wherein they have agreed to conduct a joint site inspection of Mhadei river basin. “Last month, following commencement of work by Karnataka, we had written to the Authority demanding for a joint inspection at Kankumbi, where the neighbouring State had taken up work to diver the flow of monsoonal water of Mhadei river towards the Kalasa,” he said. “Two days back we got a communication from PRAWAH that it has written >Continued on P5 Ignore spelling, clerical errors in Tiswadi key battleground for Cong’s hopes in N Goa FACT CHECK: HAPPY HUNTING GROUND voter cards, EC tells poll babus THE GOAN I NETWORK SAYS GENUINE VOTERS SHOULD NOT BE DENIED THEIR RIGHT PTI NEW DELHI Seeking to ensure that no genuine elector is deprived of the right to vote, the Election Commission has told State poll officers to ignore clerical or spelling errors provided the voter's identity can be established through voter I-card. It has also said that a voter I-card issued by the electoral registration officer of another assembly constituency will be accepted for identification provided elector's name is in the rolls of polling station where he or she has turned up. EC GUIDELINES „„Accept voter I-card issued by the electoral registration officer of another assembly constituency provided elector's name is in the electoral rolls „„In case of a photograph mismatch, voters will have to produce one of the alternative photo documents listed out by EC In case of a mismatch of photograph, the elector will have to produce one of the alternative photo documents listed out by the EC. In an order issued last month, the EC said the electors who are not able to produce their voter I-card will have to furnish one of the al- ternative photo IDs. These include the Aadhaar card, MNREGA job card, passbooks with photograph issued by a bank or post office, health insurance smart card issued by the Labour Ministry, driving license, PAN card, and the smart card issued by the Registrar General of India. PANAJI he odds are stacked against the Congress in the North Goa Parliamentary seat won five successive times for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by the incumbent Shripad Naik, who is re-nominated for the May 7 election. Yet, the 'grand old party' cannot be written off and doing well in Tiswadi, where it has retained its electoral shine despite the series of successive desertions by its MLAs from here since 2012, could be crucial to its dwindling hopes of remaining in the hunt for the North Goa seat. The central taluka accounts for a fifth of the North Goa seat having five assembly segments -- Panaji, Taleigao, T „„Tiswadi still holds electoral shine for Congress despite series of successive desertions by its MLAs from here since 2012 „„Voting patterns in parliamentary elections differ from those in Assembly elections „„Tiswadi as a whole has been the pocket of the North Goa seat that has been happy ground for Congress even in national elections „„The central taluka accounts for a fifth of the North Goa seat having five assembly segments -Panaji, Taleigao, St Cruz, St Andre and Cumbharjua „„In 2009, the closest the Congress or its ally came to clinching the seat, Tiswadi's electorate ended up giving Jitendra Deshprabhu a nearly 8,000-vote lead „„Shripad ended up winning that election by a slender 4000-odd vote lead „„Ensuing Lok Sabha election on May 7 could be no different St Cruz, St Andre and Cumbharjua. Currently, the Congress holds none of these five seats, the BJP has four MLAs and St Andre is represented by Viresh Borkar of the nascent Revolutionary Goans Party. This BJP four, RGP one and Congress nil scenario in Tiswadi, however, is aided by the September 2022 defections of two Congress MLAs -- Rudolf Fernandes (St Cruz) and Rajesh Faldesai (Cumbharjua) -- into the BJP. Just six months prior to this defection the Tiswadi score card at the 2022 assembly elections in March that year read: Congress two, BJP two and RGP 1. Even in its worst outing in 2012, the Congress had emerged electorally ahead of the BJP in Tiswadi winning three of the five seats -Atanasio Monserrate (St Cruz), Jennifer Monserrate (Taleigao) and Pandurang Madkaikar (Cumbharjua). The BJP had won the other two with the late Manohar Parrikar winning Panaji and the late Vishnu Wagh bagging St Andre. Five years later in 2017, the Congress again emerged ahead of the BJP in Tiswadi winning Taleigao (Jennifer), St Cruz (Antonio Fernandes) and St Andre (Francis Silveira). Voting patterns in parliamentary elections indeed differ from those in Assembly elections but Tiswadi as a whole has been the pocket of the North Goa seat that has been happy ground for the Congress even in the national elections. >Continued on P5