Govt not to bend the rules for nightlife: Ravi

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-06-05
PANAJI- Ruling out amendment to the state rules to allow various activities in the night for the benefit of tourists, the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik on Thursday said that foreigners would have to obey the laws of the land and that there would no changes in laws to suit their style of living in the state of Goa.
Mr Naik made this statement while responding to a query from the reporters during an impromptu press conference at this official residence at Altinho on Thursday afternoon. The statement came out in the light of a demand made by the official of the Russian consulate.
Foreigners can’t tell us to change the laws to suit their lifestyle,” he said. He denied having received any letter from the Russian consulate adding that some other government functionary might have received it and would reply to it.
The Home Minister also told the reporters that police were investigating all the criminal cases, including those in which foreigners were involved, without any pressure from any quarters and that they would be taken to logical end. He also said that he would ensure that all cases were properly investigated.
Responding to a question on the failure of the police to take action against the shacks that operate till the wee hours and served liquors, Mr Bosco George, the superintendent of police, said that it was the duty of the excise department to ensure that no liquor was served beyond 11 p.m. even as he observed that police have overriding powers and take action at times.
Mr Naik admitted to certain lacunae that exist in the present laws would be taken care off in the Goa police bill which was being handled by the select committee of the state assembly and was expected to be passed in the next session of the House. He said the select committee was also studying the police bills of Delhi and Maharashtra governments to ensure that the state police bill did not have any deficiency.
As regards to cases against Mahanand Naik, who is alleged to have killed 16 women, he said that the police were investigating the cases and collecting evidence to ensure that he was punished for his crimes. He denied the charge that the cases were not being investigated properly as the victims were poor. He also said that police would also probe the role of Pooja, wife of Mahanand, into the killings.
The Home Minister said that the government would post another police inspector at the Ponda police station to handle day-to-day activities of the police station, while allowing present incumbent Mr C L Patil to investigate the cases registered against Mahanand, the serial killer. He also said that there was also a proposal to post a second police inspector at Margao.
As regards to involvement of police in the prostitution racket, as reported at Pernem, he said that he was not aware of the fact but said that he would enquire into the matter. As regards to a beggar being dumped at the waste disposal site by the police, he said the incident if true was unfortunate and that it should not have happened. He also assured to enquire about the same and take necessary steps, adding that most of the beggars were non-Goans and if caught were handled in accordance with the law.
On the beggar’s case, the SP, Mr Atmaram Deshpande said, “I have asked for a report for DySP, PCR, Mr Shamba Sawant. Based on the report we will see what action is warranted.”
Mr Naik said that the forensic laboratory could not yet start functioning in the state for want of a trained manpower and that the selected person to head it made “unreasonable” because of which he could not be engaged by the government. He also said that all efforts would be made start the laboratory at earliest.