log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2025 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 145 GOA Margao’s new sewage plant promises clean-up, but questions remain >> pg 6 From dhobis to dry cleaners: Goa’s laundries iron out a bright future with modern technologies IN SHORT >> Officers to tackle stray animal issues PANAJI: Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the Goa government has appointed nodal officers at both the State and taluka levels to tackle issues related to stray animals. Drawn from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, these officers will coordinate with local bodies, police, and animal welfare organisations to ensure prompt treatment and effective management of stray animals. Jobs scam accused questioned again PANAJI: Prime accused in the jobs-for-cash case, Pooja Naik, was on Tuesday interrogated for the second time within two days after she levelled fresh allegations linking a minister, an IAS officer and a PWD officer to the scam. Naik was grilled for nearly three hours on Sunday.   >> See pg 3 New Vasco market set to open VASCO: The long-awaited new SGPDA market in Vasco is set to partially open soon, with Vasco MLA and SGPDA Chairman Krishna Salkar announcing that the first phase of the project will be inaugurated within the next 15 days.  >> See pg 5 Nithari killings: SC acquits Koli NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli in one of the Nithari murder cases by allowing his curative petition challenging conviction, paving the way for his release. Koli was earlier acquitted in other Nithari killing cases. Szalay beats Kiran Desai to win Booker LONDON: Hungarian British author David Szalay was named winner of Booker Prize for his novel ‘Flesh’, beating Indian author Kiran Desai’s ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’ in London. Szalay, was presented with 50,000 pounds and a trophy. WEATHER >> Max: 31.8 C Min: 20.7 C Humidity: 70% TIDES Low: High: 10:51 22:08 04:37 16:02 2 3 GOA Goa’s lung cancer screening drive nears one-lakh milestone Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Which herbs burn belly fat the quickest? 3-phase tiger census in Goa from next month TO INCLUDE GROUND TRACKING, SATELLITES, CAMERA TRAPS SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI The country’s most extensive and advanced wildlife census 2026 All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) will kick off in Goa from next month. The Census that will be carried out in three phases -- on ground-tracking and habitat mapping, satellite integration and remote sensing and camera trap method -- will conclude in June, next year. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) are all set to conduct the sixth cycle of AITE, probably from April-May 2026. The AITE began in 2006 and since then, five cycles have been completed (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022). The State has participated in all the five cycles so far and as per the 2022 tiger census, Goa has got five tigers. As per the schedule released for conduct of the census for Goa, the phase I -where the officers and volunteers will record indirect signs of tigers like pugmarks, claw marks, scat and prey remains THE TIGER MAPPING EXERCISE „„Indirect tiger signs like pugmarks, claw marks, scat, prey remains to be recorded „„Habitat data such as vegetation density, human presence to be documented „„Remote sensing, GIS tools to be used to assess forest cover, terrain, water sources, human encroachment „„Critical tiger habitats, wildlife corridors to be identified through satellite-aided mapping „„Cameras to be installed at key locations like trails, ridgelines, and waterholes „„AI software analyses stripe patterns to be used to identify individual tigers and estimate population accurately „„Cameras to remain active for 25 days, capturing images of wildlife movements „„Officers and volunteers to be trained by Master Trainers/ biologists nominated by WII and NTCA apart from vegetation density and signs of human presence -- will be held from December to February 2026 while the data has to be submitted from March to May in total six rounds. The second phase ‘Satellite Integration and Remote Sens- ing’ will see use of remote sensing to study forest cover, terrain, water sources and human encroachment, identifying critical habitats, wildlife corridors, satellite-aided mapping guides, etc. The final phase of the census -- ‘Camera Traps and AI- Exit polls predict landslide victory for NDA in Bihar NO LUCK IN SIGHT FOR MAHAGATHBANDHAN, DISAPPOINTING DEBUT FOR JAN SURAAJ PTI NEW DELHI Exit Polls on Tuesday predicted a return of the NDA government in Bihar with a big victory over the Mahagathbandhan, and a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj in its debut outing. The Bihar polls were conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the results will be announced on November 14. While the Matrize Exit Poll forecast the NDA likely getting between 147-167 seats, the Mahagathbandhan 70-90, and the Jan Suraaj between 0-2 seats, Dainik Bhaskar predicted 145-160 seats for NDA and 73-91 for Mahagathbandhan. Axis My India and Today’s Chanakya -- will release their exit polls on Wednesday. While the People’s Insight predicted 133-148 seats for the NDA, 87-102 for the Mahagathbandhan and 0-2 for Jan Suraaj, the People’s Pulse gave 133-159 seats to the NDA, EXIT POLLS: BATTLEGROUND BIHAR Source Chanakya Dainik Bhaskar DV Research JVC Matrize P-Marq Peoples Insight Peoples Pulse NDA MGB 130-138 100-108 145-160 73-91 137-152 83-98 135-150 88-103 147-167 70-90 142-162 80-98 133-148 87-102 133-159 75-101 RECORD 69% TURNOUT CAPS BIHAR’S HIGHSTAKES POLLS >> See pg 7 75-101 to the Mahagathbandhan, and 0-5 to Prashant Kishore’s party. The JVC forecast 135-150 seats for the NDA and 88-103 for the Mahagathbandhan. While the Chanakya Strategies gave the NDA 130-138 seats, 100-108 to the Mahagathbandhan, and zero to JSP 0-0 0-3 2-4 0-1 0-2 1-4 0-2 0-5 OTH 3-5 5-7 1-8 3-6 2-8 0-3 3-6 2-8 Jan Suraaj, pollster P-Marq predicted the NDA to win 142162 seats, Mahagathbandhan 80-98 and Jan Suraaj 1-4. The majority mark in the 243-member Assembly is 122. Exit poll projections are made by election survey agencies based on interviews of voters as they come out after casting their votes. These may vary widely from the actual results. While the NDA is looking to return to power, the opposition, is looking to form the government. 9 INFO Based Identification’-- will be held simultaneously from December to May, 2026. During this phase, WII will place cameras  near trails, ridgelines, or waterholes identified during ground surveys. The cameras will remain active for 25 days, capturing images of wildlife movements and images are analysed using software that recognises unique stripe patterns, identifying each tiger individually. A senior officer said that in the ongoing months, the officers and volunteers would be trained by the Master Trainers/biologists nominated by WII and NTCA. The State forest department’s earlier participation in the AITE in 2002 and 2006, failed to get any results but the 2010 census saw the presence of five tigers in Goa’s wild, with an increase in the number of leopards and wild dogs, the number that remained constant in 2014-one male, two females and two cubs. The numbers dropped to three during the 2018 census and also hinted that the animal is a possible transit animal from Karnataka. OBC reservation of Anjuna zilla seatchallenged  THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A petition has been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging the notification dated November 6 that reserves the Anjuna Zilla Panchayat constituency in North Goa for OBC candidates. The petitioner has argued that the seat was reserved for women in the previous 2020 ZP elections and contended that the latest reservation lacks justification. The matter is expected to be heard on Saturday. The notification earmarked 20 Zilla Panchayat constituencies for Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates, while 18 wards have been reserved for women for the December 13 ZP polls. The SEC is likely to announce the election schedule this week, after which the Model Code of Conduct will come into force. RESERVATION REDRAWS LINES, BUT BARDEZ STILL LOOKS SAFFRON >> See pg 3 SPORTS Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last 14 SC panel may seek time for Mhadei tiger reserve report CEC PLANS REVISIT TO GOA FOR CLARITY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is likely to seek one week extension to submit its report pertaining to notifying Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as tiger reserve. The committee will be on their second visit to Goa from November 16-18 looking for some more clarity and conduct field visits. The committee had in October, visited the State for hands-on study. CEC member Sunil Limaye had visited Kalay forest area to assess the ground reality regarding declaration of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding as tiger reserve and the team had even consulted all relevant stakeholders including forest dept, environmentalists, petitioner and elected representatives from areas like Valpoi, Poriem, Sanguem, Canacona, etc. A officer confirmed that the CEC is expected to seek a week extension to submit its report as it will be visiting Goa again from November 16-18 to conduct more field visits. Apex court to hear tiger reserve case today, Kapil Sibal to represent Goa PANAJI: The Supreme Court is likely to hear the Tiger Reserve matter on Wednesday.  Sources confirmed that State Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has proposed the name of senior advocate Kapil Sibal to represent Goa before the Apex Court. The top court is currently hearing the special leave petition filed by Goa government challenging the Bombay High Court’s July 2023 order directing the state to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months. “CEC is also awaiting more details from the National Tiger Conservation Authority on the proposal,” an officer said adding that CEC was expected to submit a report during the next hearing scheduled on November 12.  In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the Goa government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas, identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and in plans prepared by the Goa Forest Department, as a tiger reserve within three months. The Goa government filed a spe- cial leave petition challenging the High Court’s order. On September 8, the Supreme Court ordered status quo on all development activities in areas directed to be notified as a tiger reserve and asked a CEC to examine the tiger reserve issue and submit a report in six weeks. CEC held its first hearing with the stakeholders including Goa government and petitioner Goa Foundation on September 16. The elected representatives and villagers, during their interaction with CEC last month raised strong objections to the Tiger Reserve proposal. Suspects in Red Fort blast may have panicked: Intel INITIAL PROBE POINTS TO A MISASSEMBLED IED AGENCIES NEW DELHI An initial assessment of the blast site near the Red Fort in Delhi suggests that the suspects may have panicked and made an error while handling the explosives, according to top intelligence sources. Raids on terror suspects across the country throughout Monday, along with the recovery of 2,900 kg of chemicals used in bomb-making from Haryana’s Faridabad, may have created panic among the suspects and forced them to relocate, the sources said. This development is significant as it shifts the case from a suspected suicide attack to an accidental explosion during transport, investigators noted. The suspect is believed to have improperly assembled the improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in a limited impact, according to the initial intelligence assessment. Meanwhile, the probe was handed over to premier anti-terror agency NIA as investigators zeroed in on a Pul- The car that exploded near the Red Fort in Delhi. OVER 2,000 PEOPLE, 1,000 VEHICLES CHECKED ACROSS GOA; SECURITY TIGHTENED AT TEMPLES AND OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP  >> See pg 3 wama doctor with links to a terror module busted with the recovery of explosives mainly from Faridabad. Dr Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded and is believed to be one of the 12 people killed, officials said. A day after the blast on Monday evening, Jammu and Kashmir police took a DNA sample from his mother to establish the connect. “We have taken the DNA sample in order to match with the parts found at the scene of the blast,” an official said in Srinagar. The case was given to the National Investigation Agency after a review meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah. This is a clear indication that the blast is being considered an act of terror as the NIA is mandated to probe terror cases only. Cong forms panel to oversee ZP Old Goa back on top in latest history-sheeters’ list DATA OF HISTORY-SHEETERS elections, rules out AAP alliance THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Congress party in Goa has ruled out alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, which are scheduled on December 13. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Goa incharge Manikrao Thakare has constituted a high-level committee of senior Congress leaders to oversee preparations for the ZP polls and to decide on alliance if required. The committee comprises senior party leaders including GPCC president Amit Pat- How can the Congress form an alliance with a party who speaks against Congress leadership or the party? How can we forward our hand towards that party? — Manikrao Thakare kar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, CWC member Girish Chodankar, South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, and MLAs Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Altone D’Costa. Senior Vice President M K Shaikh is also part of the committee. Addressing a press conference, Thakare said that AAP will not be part of India Alliance in the ZP election. “There is no question of having an alliance with AAP. How can the Congress form an alliance with a party who speaks against Congress leadership or the party? How can we forward our hand towards that party,” he said. Thakare said that the party has constituted a committee to decide the strategy for the ZP election and it will decide whether to have an alliance or fight Zilla Panchayat elections alone. PANAJI oa’s crime map has once again thrown a spotlight on a cluster that police know all too well. The State’s latest records have identified 222 habitual offenders and history-sheeters, with the highest cluster of 24 falling under the Old Goa police station – an area that spans St Cruz, Chimbel and the Indiranagar slum -- long regarded as a crucible of street gangs and volatile rivalries -- among others. Police records also indicate that over the past seven months alone, more than 100 suspects from this belt have been rounded up, with sev- G OLD GOA 24 CALANGUTE 19 MAPUSA 17 PANAJI 15 MAINA-CURTORIM 15 ANJUNA 14 MARGAO & VASCO 12 EACH VERNA & 9 PORVORIM EACH PONDA & VALPOI 8 EACH eral placed under preventive arrest. The reputation is not new COLVA 7 CUNCOLIM & 6 BICHOLIM EACH FATORDA & 5 SALIGAO EACH COLVALE 4 QUEPEM, CANACONA, 3 MANDREM EACH CURCHOREM, 2 MORMUGAO, EACH COLLEM, AGASSAIM SANGUEM & 1 MOPA AIRPORT PS EACH – the Covid year 2020’s St Cruz shootout remains a defining reminder of these entrenched networks. Among those arrested was Marcelino Dias, who, according to police, allegedly fired the fatal shot that killed his own associate, Sonu Yadav, during a botched attempt to intimidate rival Imran Bepari. The circle of violence continues to resurface. When social activist Rama Kankonkar was assaulted in Caranzalem on September 18 this year, several of the accused traced back to the same St Cruz history-sheeter network. Just 48 hours back, a fresh combing and foot-patrolling drive across Chimbel and St Cruz -- covering Indiranagar, Chimbel Quarry, Dhobhi Ghat and Santaban -- resulted in 45 being rounded up for verification, of whom 18 were taken to the police station for detailed antecedent checks, and nine were subsequently placed under preventive arrest under the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). On Tuesday, the police arrested six persons from St Cruz, including its panch, under preventive measures for allegedly abusing and threatening some members of the RGP. In May, the North district saw 11 new history sheets opened in a single week, bringing the tally to 135. The latest review shows a marginal dip to 132 in North Goa and 90 in South Goa -- a total of 222 across the State.