Equitable law
and order
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The police must be non partisan to dispense justice as per the law be you so high or low! They have to be able to stand up and do their sacred sworn duty against communal lawless gangs and against those under state patronage!
The police in Delhi have cancelled a scheduled stand up comedy show on threat from the VHP which is unfair on three counts. The show is condemned without knowing the contents and the artiste and eager audience deprived enjoyment, comedian of his job and the police scared of doing theirs to maintain law and order!
In Goa the unfortunate death of Sonali Phogat, the police initially suspected no foul play and only on the vehement protest and naming of suspects by her family, the culprits were arrested and confession obtained. The IGP has since done a commendable job and it seems to be leading to deeper ramifications. They have to be able to increasingly protect the public with a prevention better than cure attitude and have the spine to render equitable justice to all, so the public can go to them confidently and both can help each other to better enforce law and order.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Convicts showed
no remorse
The convicts of gang-rape of a pregnant woman Bilkis Bano and killer of seven members of her family including her three-year-old daughter were given hero’s welcome with garlands and sweets after they walked out of prison as free men after serving just 15 years of imprisonment. The video of the celebration has widely been circulated.
The mood of the celebration shows the attitude of 180 degree opposite of remorse. Not only Bilkis Bano but also the residents of her village are now feeling insecure. Several people have left Randhikpur village in Gujarat’s Dahod district out of fear of violence from the side of the convicts after their release. These convicts should be sent to the prison again for rest of their lives.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Check eatables during festivities
The festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner. Just as with other religious functions, sweets form an integral part of the festivities. In the past much of the sweets for the festivals were prepared at home by family members. However, for various reasons this has become very rare in today’s world. Much of the sweets are obtained from the sweet marts in the market-place. When the demand for a particular food item is high, there is every possibility of adulteration as those in the business of preparing sweets in bulk will try to make a fast buck by adopting illegal methods.
It is learnt that with the festive season fast approaching, the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) have upped the ante to check for adulteration of eatables sold in the state.
Those products being sold need to have the ‘Manufacturing Date’ and ‘Best Before’ date clearly mentioned on the package along with the MRP. The eatables need to be manufactured in hygienic conditions which also need to be checked by the authorities. The premises also need to have the proper manufacturing licence. It is understood that FDA raids have found two manufacturing units preparing sweets under unhygienic conditions in Cuncolim. It is important to see that the consumer does not fall sick during the festive season due to consumption of sweets prepared in unhygienic conditions.
All premises preparing sweets without the valid licence need to be sealed and the confiscated goods destroyed.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Senior citizens neglected
The saying that old is gold doesn’t augur well in case of senior citizens as the government is not kind to them, senior citizens whose source of income besides pension is the interest from fixed deposits or postal savings schemes, they are always discriminated for no fault of theirs and also there is a unwritten rule that senior citizens should not be offered credit cards though they may be paying income tax.
Insurance companies that do not offer life insurance business such as medical insurance limit the entry point to 70 years which is not correct. Senior citizens are soft targets of not only domestic servants but also close relatives, sometimes their own children they are at grave risk, attempts have been made on their lives by relatives a recent example is cold blooded murder at Varca, Salcete with an eye on their properties. Some unscrupulous elements in the police let criminals take advantage of the situation and when the old person is killed the conspiring relatives get away because robbery is made out to be motive
Senior Police officials should investigate the murders of senior citizens to ensure a fair inquiry. Though we recognise the need for safer living conditions for our elders, individuals cannot do without the cooperation of the government and the society otherwise the elderly have to fend themselves, the government should offer schemes for elderly so that they live a life of dignity after contributing in a big way to the State and Country during their hey days.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Archdiocese is overjoyed
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman is overjoyed and immensely grateful to God for giving us the day to see our very own Archbishop Patriarch, son of our soil, Rt Rev Filipe Neri Ferrão being elevated to the College of Cardinals. As a Cardinal of the holy mother Church, he will now have the added responsibility in the decision-making process and the mission of the Church worldwide.
On taking up the role of a cardinal, in addition to serving us as our Archbishop Patriarch, a lot of skill, a brave heart and soul and good health of spirit and mind is needed in fulfilling all the responsibilities and tasks assigned. The Diocesan Catechetical Centre is indeed joyful and assures our prayerful support as Pope Francis elevates our Archbishop to the rank of a Cardinal.
Fr Romeu Godinho, DCC,
Old Goa
Murder brings Goa
into limelight again
Goa has become state of crimes since many cases of murder taking place. Two days back Haryana women’s leader of BJP and actress Sonali Phogat died due to drink with spike of chemical by her own colleagues. After teenager Scarlet Keelings’ drug and murder case in 2008 at Anjuna beach, Goa is in limelight again due to above incident. Sonali Phogat was leader of BJP and came down to Goa for shooting which was not a planned schedule. She was brought by her friends Sudhir and Sukhwinder in the pretext of having a shoot in Goa. Though as per information, the hotel was booked for two days the family was not informed about the change on schedule.
Initially it was heart attack and only when her brother came down to Goa to file FIR against her unnatural death the case because serious. As per her brother Dhaka, Sonali spoke to family members the previous day and was uncomfortable with the situation. May be she was blackmailed by her two associates.
Now that IGP Omvir Singh and Anjuna police are investigating the case two suspects have confessed of giving her drink with chemical.
Initially Goa police was reluctant to File FIR and were waiting for post mortem report but due to brother’s intervention the case saw U turn with heart attack being ruled out. Goa being tourist spot many tourist come to here for relaxation and holidays.
Goa needs to be careful in handling tourists as more and more incidents are happening in the State in the pretext of tourist destination. The State has many credentials for its own beauty and natural resources and we have to protect the identity with same.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
