Rahul, can you help?
Gustavo Stephen Godinho, Verna
We have read numerous reports of the police and politicians who are involved with drug peddlers. This has to end but, till today, nothing is being done. It appears that the law makers and law protectors are trying to protect some people. Police bend a lot of rules to suit themselves, much to everyone’s chagrin.
I am, however, surprised that there is no action forthcoming from Rahul Gandhi even after being briefed about the case by Sunil Kawthankar. This is a very serious issue as far as Goa and its youth are concerned. If Rahul does not give this matter serious attention, then who is going to save us from this corrupt system? Something has to be done for Goa. Our government is spineless and has no guts to solve matters. The people of Goa are tired of this mess. Please help.
Oppose Navy’s land grab
Dr Jawaharlal Henriques, Siolim
I am grateful to you for highlighting Navy’s ambitious plans to secure the island of Sao Jorge and the pristine white sand beach called Bimbvell.
Our popular Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has made a very strong case for the Indian Navy to keep its hands off the island and the beach. I earnestly hope Jose Philip D’Souza, Mauvin Godinho and Milind Naik will join hands with our Rajya Sabha MP and Sigmund de Souza who initiated this battle along with Matanhy Saldanha.
My family has made a lot of sacrifice in national interest, giving away prime land for the airport, Navy and Goa shipyard. Recently, when I wanted to visit my ancestral property at Bimbvell, I was prevented to do so by Naval authorities.
Police should assist in preventing harassment of land owners like me, traditional fishermen who number about three hundred, and persons who wish to go there on a picnic.
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Politics behind verdict
Shaikh Zemir, Margao
The countdown to the Babri Masjid case is going on in the Allahbad High Court. The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the HC to deliver the verdict on 30 Sept.
The Congress Goverment at the centre is playing with the verdict for personal gain. This is just an eye wash to divert our minds. Indians know of the political gambles but the poor, the downtrodden and marginalised section of society is unable to grasp the situation. They are taken for a ride and emotionally blackmailed to vote for their party in elections.
Seventeen years have already passed and after knowing the culprits of the demolition, the Indian courts are unable to nail them. This trend of hearing and adjournment will go on and on, unless a non corrupt and anti fascist regime comes into power in India. We have to work in that direction and hope that we are free from the bondage of corruption, casteism and discrimination.
Atala’s vanishing trick
Dr Francisco Colaco, Margao
The disappearance of the drug lord Atala can be traced to a series of gaffes. First, the decision of the NDPS Court at Mapusa to grant bail to a suspected hardened criminal was, in retrospect, a faux pas. Bail being what it is, — with a little collusion from a subservient police eager to look after the interests of their political bosses—the inevitable has happened. Many foreigners have easily fled the country after being released on bail. Loopholes are rife and our borders are porous. It is reliably reported that Atala is in his home town in Israel and extradition is a distant dream.
Ravi Naik’s bravado that he is serious about drug menace is vanishing into thin air. He is known to have taken tough decisions during his tenure as CM. But when it comes to the drug scene, strong action is lacking. A courageous decision by him would dispel a lot of fears. The problem of drugs in the State rages like the worst type of cancer that threatens to maim and decimate thousands of youngsters. Urgent measures are called for.
Church and politics
M Sousa, Mapusa
The Colva parish priest Fr Diago Fernandes was seen at a Congress meeting at Benaulim presumably to support the candidature of Francis Sequeira. The Catholic Church firmly teaches that she never wishes to enter into politics but only to influence its policies for the good of humanity. Fr Diago seems to like politics more than the Church as he is often seen in the company of politicians. Already, we had enough of politics in Colva involving its parishioners. Being diabolic in nature, it appears that Fr Diago wants fissures in the Church.
The Archbishop must take firm action against all priests who want to politicise religion. If Fr Diago or any other priest likes politics so much, then they must leave the Church and enter politics.
What a blunder!
Vincent Rego, Dubai
It was disgusting to read that drug lord Yaniv Benaim alias Atala has flown the coop and is hiding in his home town in Israel. Over here, the Goa police are fooling people with false red alert security.
Can anyone tell me how and on what passport Atala managed to flee India and through which airport? It is as simple as this. A person who is on bail has to surrender his or her passport to the police. Over here, one cannot understand as to what’s going on.
This is a complete mockery of law. The Home Minister has hijacked the Home dept. so that it can be run as per his whims and fancies. Where is the law here?
The police-politician-drug cartel nexus has assumed dangerous ramifications. Here are families and their loved ones on a knife’s edge. Family values have been destroyed forever. No one will prosper in life through drugs, although drug peddlers may do so monetarily.
Keep CWG spirit alive
S Kamat, Alto Betim
There is nothing defensible about the work done for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Most of the work done missed the schedule. The fact that India mismanaged the forthcoming event is on everyone’s lips. The shoddy preparation work has been severely denounced. Amidst all this, there is a silver lining. There have been kind words in between, from some delegates, athletes and countries.
The press from the UK and Australia, the countries with the largest athlete delegations and to some extent New Zealand, have showered their wrath on India. If one remembers, the recently held Youth Olympics in Singapore was confronted with similar problems. So, in keeping the spirit alive of the Commonwealth Games, each delegation should try and make the Games a success. Every one knows that India goofed up. Criticising our country will only serve to dampen that spirit.
Valpoi by election
Carlos Fernandes, by email
The election to the Valpoi constituency for the Goa Assembly has been caused due to the resignation of the Health Minister as he was elected as an independent candidate. He now wants to join the Ruling Congress party, for his personal benefit.
In this case, who is to bear the cost of the election? It comes from the taxes of the citizens. Why should the tax payer’s money be utilised for such an election? These MLAs should be debarred from contesting for a period of at least five years thus preventing them from resigning and contesting again at the tax payers cost. This is a mockery of democracy.
False complaint
Nigel Costa Frias, Dona Paula
This is with reference to the news report ‘Complaint against HC lawyer for abuse’ (Herald, 26 Sept) regarding a complaint of alleged verbal abuse filed against me by a junior lawyer. This junior lawyer [name withheld], ever since my wife and I filed a civil suit against her sister and brother-in-law, has been harassing me in the High Court, using foul and indecent gestures, particularly in the corridors, whenever I used to pass her. I filed a complaint against her with the Registrar of the High Court on 20 September, as also to the High Court Bar Association. After that she filed the complaint of verbal abuse against me, which is absolutely false and defamatory.
