What about the big guns??

Have we heard the last of the Atala, Dudu and gang's connections with the men-in-uniform?

Ever since this police-drug mafia (and media?) nexus drama unfolded, half-a-dozen policemen including one of the rank of police inspector have been netted. It's been three weeks now. And there's no more. Shocking!

Even more shocking is the Home Minister Ravi Naik admitting in the just concluded Assembly session that there exists no inventory of the drugs seized and stored in the Goa Police godown. And, he said it in typical Ravi Naik style -- cool as a cucumber.

Now, now. If there's no inventory, how does the Crime Branch hope to account for the drugs lying in the godown and prove the charge against their men currently behind bars, beats me. Someone high up there in the corridors of the Police Headquarters is seemingly preparing ground for the incarcerated policemen to go scot-free. Or else, are we to believe that this cartel of policemen doing business with the drug mafia was headed by a Police Inspector-ranked officer with a mere five from the constabulary for company? What happened to the DySP at the ANPS and the SP that headed it? Were they merely sucking thumbs when 'Camin', Husain and the rest ganged up with Ashish to dispose the contraband from the godowns?

Many expected more heads to roll, but they didn't. Early reports suggested that some members of the media also stood in the gallery of rogues. But it all seems to have been swept under the carpet and six it is that the powers have decided will be the police toll, and no more!

CM Digambar Kamat said, there's no report that journos are involved. But neither he nor DGP Bhim Sain Bassi are willing to deny on record, the complicity of media persons in the case. Kamat said two weeks ago, that he will make a statement after he gets a 'full report' of the case which he has asked the Chief Secretary to obtain from the cops. And, Bassi on his part says all will be revealed "when the time is right". So, let's wait. Endlessly if need be.

Apartheid?

Such advertising boards reserving services for 'foreigners only' aren't uncommon in Goa's coastal villages drunk with the mollah to be made from the tourism trade. Photo courtesy: William Rodrigues

Northern ‘Paradise’

Perhaps for the first time since it took shape in the early part of the current decade, this 'paradise' in the north from where a top industrial scion was hounded out in the run-up to the Millenium New Year eve extravaganza, ceased to be a paradise. Alas only for a day though.

Director General of Police, Bhim Sain Bassi, apparently heaped with complaints, decided to see for himself. He along with Superintendent of Police (North) Bosco George, took a night tour of the northern coastal belt. And lo! Bassi heard for himself the blast.

Enraged, the top cop blew his top sending his subordinates reeling for cover. Left with no option, the SP ordered the Anjuna Police Station in-charge to rush and shut down the 'Paradise'. He was also asked to book a case against the night spot.

Bassi meanwhile happens to be the first IPS officer to crack the whip on this 'Paradise' in the north, where the son of a former Union Minister regularly rubbed shoulders with the ravers. Incidentally the 'Paradise' operates on government property owned by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for free!

Apparently, the owner, began operating the place using his proximity to the then CM after the Bombay Dyeing Scion was hounded out for proposing 24-hour raves, seven days a week. The raves have been continuing at the 'Paradise' since then, and the GTDC has got nothing, absolutely nothing!

And all that the GTDC has done is merely issue notices a couple of times, once as recently as two weeks ago.

Jairam!

Another reason to hail the Environment Minister of our country. Jairam Ramesh has delivered on his promise and somewhat silenced my friend and teacher Matanhy Saldanha from continuing to 'champion' the cause of Goa's 'poor' fishermen.

Ramesh has written a lengthy letter to Goa CM, and in it, has opened a huge window of hope to save the 'dwellings' of coastal residents from the demolitions threatening them.

But alas, it's uncertain whether Ramesh's stance will satisfy Goa's politicos because it seemingly gives protection only to the 'aam admi' and not the 'khas aadmi' who run the thousands of commercial establishments in the CRZ's 'no development zones'.

Jai-Ramesh!