Author: Team Admin

“The pattern is all too familiar. Public outrage erupts – often fueled by social media – followed by swift police action. A few establishments are shut down, several individuals are detained, and statements are issued. Then, as attention fades, normalcy quietly returns. Dance bars that were once sealed reopen months later. The same touts reappear. The cycle continues. This begs the question: where is preventive policing? What are beat officers observing during their daily rounds? What inputs are being generated by local intelligence units? “ The recent detention of hundreds of touts by Calangute Police following viral videos of alleged…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: The Bombay High Court has directed the Town and Country Planning Board to ensure that all pending and future applications seeking enhanced Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height permissions are made subject to the outcome of an ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging recent amendments to building regulations. The direction was issued by a division bench after noting that approximately 255 applications related to FAR enhancement are currently pending before the TCP Board. As per the court’s order, all applicants—both existing and prospective—must be formally informed that their proposals will be governed by the final decision in…

Team Goemkarponn Pernem: A major fire broke out at Hotel Dallas cottages in Pernem late on Thursday night, destroying several structures before being brought under control by fire personnel after a prolonged operation. No casualties or injuries were reported. According to Fire Station Officer Namdev H. Parwar, the control room received a distress call at around 8:45 pm from a caller identified as Anup Sawant, reporting the blaze. A fire tender from Pernem Fire Station was immediately dispatched, with additional support mobilised from Mapusa and Porvorim fire stations as the fire intensified. Upon arrival, firefighters found that the flames had…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira has criticised the Goa government and police over their response to a viral video allegedly showing a foreigner soliciting customers for prostitution, terming the action “wrong and illegal.” In a statement, Ferreira said that uploading and sharing such a video falls under the fundamental right to freedom of expression and the right to know, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. He stated that the incident reflects deeper issues within Goa’s tourism sector, calling it a “failure of the tourism policy” and describing the episode as “only the tip of the…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: In a move aimed at strengthening regulation and ensuring accountability in infrastructure works, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat has announced a stricter framework for granting road cutting permissions across the state. The Minister said that despite earlier directives mandating prior approvals for road excavation, violations continued to be reported in several areas. To address this, the government has introduced an Assembly-level Constituency Inter-Departmental Committee, led by Sushil Kumar, to regulate and monitor all such activities. A formal notification has been issued, and the committee will review all applications related to road cutting and infrastructure works.…

Team Goemkarponn Vasco: A stormy meeting at the Mormugao Municipal Council has ended with a key decision. The council has approved the temporary handover of HPCL land to KTCL for a proposed project under the public private partnership model. The decision came after prolonged discussions marked by chaotic scenes inside the council hall. Several councillors voiced strong concerns over the project’s feasibility, warning of a possible traffic surge due to increased bus movement in the city. Questions were also raised over the lack of prior information and the absence of a formal presentation. Members have now demanded greater clarity from…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: The POCSO Court in Panaji has convicted Toufiq Kotur, a resident of Vasco, in connection with a 2020 case involving the sexual assault and rape of a minor girl. The court sentenced the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. In default of payment, he will undergo an additional two months of simple imprisonment. The case was investigated by LPSI Prajoti Dessai of Vasco Police Station under the supervision of DYSP Nilesh Rane. The conviction comes as part of ongoing efforts to ensure strict enforcement of laws protecting children from…