| Goa |
Biplob Ghosal
It was sex, drugs and sand that got Goa’s attention this year. With incidents of crime directed at foreign tourists particularly and a hot favourite of terror target, Goa was entangled in all sorts of controversies this year.
Scarlett rape case
The Scarlett murder case, as it was famously known, hit headlines all over the world. Scarlett Keeling, from Bradworthy in north Devon, was on holiday with her family, who were travelling elsewhere in the region, when she was killed. She was found dead on Goa`s popular Anjuna Beach on February 18 in semi-nude condition. The state police had initially said that her death was an accidental drowning but, after a sustained campaign by Mrs MacKeown, the results were re-examined and a second post-mortem examination held resulting in a murder investigation. Presently the case is under CBI`s investigation.
German girl rape case
In October, Goa Education Minister`s son Rohit Monserrate was booked for rape, outraging modesty, abetting crime and sending lewd messages to the 14-year-old girl German girl. The case saw a huge political outcry and even the State Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao`s nephew Warren was also charged of sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl.
Mhadei water controversy
Apart from the sensational rape cases, the Mhadei water diversion too was blown up this year between Goa and Karnataka. The work by Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited to divert waters of Kalsa tributary of Mhadei river to Malaprabha basin continues on a war footing despite its assurance to SC to maintain status quo. Anti-water damming NGO Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) accused the Karnataka government of violating Supreme Court directives by continuing work on Mhadei water project despite its assurance to the Apex court to maintain status quo.
No beach parties
Goa will have no beach parties this Christmas and New Year with the ruling Congress party recommending a ban on such activities in the wake of terror threat. It was recommended that the beach parties will not be allowed between December 23 and January 5 due to safety reasons and to avoid crowding on the beaches. |
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