* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2008 Toronto International Goan Convention Theme: Goan Identity And Networking Today. http://2008goanconvention.com/index.php
Mario Miranda Festival, July 24-26, 2008 Old GMC Building http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-July/077732.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lal-Kaala menace hits Miramar JULIAN D'COSTA PANJIM, JULY 24 — In a new threat to tourism in Goa, the silver sands in the State are being hit by the Lal-Kaala (red and black cards) menace, mesmerising tourists to gamble away their money and possessions. The small time activity, which was drubbed in the coastal belt of Calangute and Colva has now struck Miramar with a tourist family group recently victimized after participating in the so called undesirable activity. According to information with this paper, the Lal Kaala gambling is being conducted by a gang of 11 who have mastered the tricks of the black and red cards. While five members of the gang are posted at different locations by the roadside to keep surveillance, the rest pose as members of the general public faking a winning spree to entice on-lookers. At Miramar, the gang targets tourists who generally descend from guided tour buses at Miramar after 10.30 am. The modus operandi is the main conductor of the game shuffles the cards in a manner to ensure high returns. Once addicted, the participant is eventually driven to devastating defeat even to the extent of losing all his possessions. In the recent case reported at Miramar, the said family was beaten brutally after they surrendered their possessions which was only part of what they owed. It is alleged that even the tourist cops on duty failed to intervene. When contacted, the Director of Tourism Elvis Gomes said, "the assault on the tourists was brought to the notice of the Department." The Department has reported the matter to the Government and the police to crack down immediately on the activities. The Superintendent of Police and SP Tourist Police have been directed to take necessary action. POLICE SAY!: The Superintendent of Police (North) Bosco George told Herald on Thursday evening that the police conducted an exercise to nab the gang who vanished from the scene before the police could arrive. "We will try to track the gang," said the North SP adding that the members are migrants and professionals in the Lal Kaala gambling business. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=7447&cid=2 COMMENT: Are the Police getting their share, hence no response on their part? Are the Police informing Goans, that it is the problem of migrants; hence Goans should tackle this menace? -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- **** http://www.GOANET.org **** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tri Continental Film Festival 2008 July 25 - 30, 2008 Goa, India http://www.moviesgoa.org/page/tri_continental/ http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricon/schedule_2008.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
