------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * * * * * ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET * * * * * * * * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goanetters in Goa and visiting meet Jan 6, 2009 at 3.30 pm at Hotel Mandovi (prior to the Goa Sudharop event, which you're also welcome to). Join in for a Dutch dinner -- if we can agree on a venue after the meet. RSVP (confirmations only) 9822122436 or 2409490 or [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Allegations of harassment to trawler crew on the rise HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JAN 2 http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=14870&cid=26 Trawler owners in Vasco have accused security agencies of harassment under the pretext of enhancing security along the coast. It may be recalled that on December 31 night, the Coast Guard had detained seven fishing trawlers after they failed to possess necessary documents and were handed over to the Coastal Police for investigation. In a press note, Esperanca Dias e D’Souza stated that their family owned trawler ‘St Theoph’ was one of the seven fishing trawlers intercepted by the Coast Guard. “Despite producing all the relevant documents by the crew, the Coast Guard officials allegedly refused to accept the documents and handed them over to the Coastal Police,” complained D’Souza. “When my family members rushed to the Coast Guard office at Harbour to enquire into the matter, one Ajit Pal and a private security guard failed to co-operate with us and instead asked us to come on the next day,” stated D’Souza. “Our trawler had a huge catch of fish and it could have perished with the delay in releasing the vessel, thereby causing us a huge loss,” said D’Souza. Earlier, Raymond De Sa, a businessman from Cortalim, had accused the Coast Guard of beating up the crew of the trawlers despite possessing custom pass. As per the coastal police direction, every trawler has to carry along with them documents like Vessel Registration Certificate, fishing license, crew list and custom pass. Sources in the fishing community informed that they even been threatened by Coast Guard officials at gun point. “Very often in the name of search operation, Coast Guard officials demand bribes of costly fish from the trawlers. If anyone objects to it, then they are unnecessarily harassed by pinpointing that documents are not clear,” alleged a furious trawler owner. When contacted, a Coast Guard official informed that Coast Guard DIG M S Dangi was out of station and several efforts to contact Coast Guard PRO Nanda proved futile. *~Jen Vasco-da-gama, Goa/ Birmingham UK http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VascokarsUnited/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IEIGLC/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GoanStudentsAbroad/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GreenGoa/ ======================================================================
