log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY DECEMBER 1, 2024 >> SEE PG 2 CONMEN vs COMMON MAN: GOA DROWNS IN SCAMS 9 MAGAZINE MAGAZ Social media ban for minors in Australia sparks debate in Goa World AIDS Day: Advancing equity and health rights Goan women’s culinary heritage shines bright at IFFI 11 Ensuring adequate compensation for road accident victims in Goa IN SHORT >> Now, online bidding for industrial plots PANAJI: Goa Industrial Development Corporation’s (Goa-IDC) launched OPEN (Open Platform for Enterprise Network) digital platform that will allow parties to bid for plots online. Chairman, Goa-IDC Aleixo Reginaldo said the new portal designed to enhance transparency and efficiency, will streamline the process for investors, ease access and bid for these prime properties.  >> See pg 3 Rod pierces through windshield of car PANAJI: Safety concerns have been raised regarding the ongoing flyover construction work at Porvorim after a car driver narrowly escaped injury. A rod fell from an under-construction flyover pillar, piercing through the car’s windshield. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed as the rod narrowly missed hitting him. Property fraud: 1 held, 5 others under lens PANAJI: The Crime Branch on Saturday arrested Vittorio Jose Velho in connection with an alleged property fraud and forgery case. His wife and four others are also under investigation and likely to face arrest.  >> See pg 3 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 164 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Betrayal & exploitation: Survivor FIERY START TO SPORTS MEET exposes dark truth of trafficking AT RUMDAMOL REVEALS CHILLING DETAILS OF HARROWING ORDEAL IN MUSCAT VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI Basamma Harijan, the courageous survivor of international human trafficking, has revealed chilling details of her harrowing ordeal and the network that entrapped her to a completely unknown destination. In her first statement since rescuing herself from Muscat a fortnight ago, Harijan shared a tale of betrayal, exploitation and resilience with The Goan.  A mother of two seeking a better future for her family, she managed to escape her captors and alert NGO ARZ and the Crime Branch about the overseas network of deceit and abuse.  “I worked at a petrol pump in Goa to financially support my family. I thought of pursuing a better opportunity abroad after hearing about a friend who was doing well in MURKY SAGA OF CAPTIVITY AND COURAGE „„A mother of two seeking a better future approaches a friend for a job abroad „„After all formalities, lands in Muscat „„Placed in a cramped room with other women, lacking food and proper arrangements „„Every morning, the victim girls including her would be taken to an office where men would select girls „„She was selected after 5-7 days and taken to a house to cook „„The man later demands sexual favours, she refuses „„Brought back to the overcrowded room „„Manages to connect to Wi-Fi, sends messages to husband & family Kuwait,” she recalled. “One of her (friend’s) family members, Sayyed Abdulla Shaikh, would send job aspirants abroad, so I approached him. Believing his promises of a well-paying job overseas, I hoped working abroad would give my husband and children a better future.” The process began with medical examinations at private clinics costing her over Rs 10,000 -- a sum she borrowed from her workplace. Despite failing the medical tests, which she claims were communicated verbally without any certificates, she trusted Sayyed’s assurances. Eventually, she was promised a housekeeping job in Muscat with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000.  Harijan’s departure was abrupt as she was informed only two days before she was to leave mid-last month. She carried documents provided to her by an unknown agent she briefly met at Dabolim Airport.  Upon her arrival in Muscat, her ordeal began. After hours of waiting, she was taken to a cramped, overcrowded room where several other women from different Indian states were held.  “Another agent picked me up from the airport and we travelled by public transport. Around 4 or 5 am, after a halfhour walk, I was brought to a room where girls were sleeping on the floor. There was no food or proper arrangements. I was terrified but kept calm thinking about my better prospects,” she recounted.  She was instead forced Cyclone effect: Goa Cyber crooks target braces for showers CM; Gmail account on December 2 & 3 hacked, restored THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa is expected to receive rainfall on December 2-3 due to a developing cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa issued a rainfall alert for these two days, forecasting light to moderate rainfall in few parts of the State.  Although no major impact is anticipated, IMD Goa has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea. As per latest reports, wind speeds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, are expected along and off Karnataka and Kerala coasts, adjoining East Central and Southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and Maldives areas as well as the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining parts of the Comorin region.  Cyclone Fengal makes landfall near Puducherry; Chennai airport shut CHENNAI: Cyclonic storm Fengal made a landfall close to Puducherry and took approximately 4 hours to cross the coast completely, an IMD official said in Chennai on Saturday. Hospitals and houses were inundated in Chennai and its neighbourhoods as Cyclone Fengal induced heavy downpour. Civic authorities said clearing works were on in a ‘war-footing.’ Barricades and umbrellas were swept away by gusty winds and road users scurried for cover as rains poured. Many areas in and around Chennai were under water. Sleuths swing into action, claim no visible damage to account THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s Gmail account was allegedly hacked on Saturday, prompting the Cyber Crime Cell to initiate a swift inquiry. The account was restored within 4-5 hours and preliminary findings indicated no visible damage. The Cyber police are probing whether the hackers sent any emails, accessed official or personal communication, or engaged in other illegal activities. “We were informed about the incident and immediately began an inquiry. The email has been restored and all measures are being taken to ensure the security of the account as well as to rule out any misuse,” an official told The Goan. CM’s Gmail account is linked to YouTube and other social media platforms. This incident comes over PANAJI endors at the Panaji fish market are facing significant challenges as they continue to operate out of a temporary facility awaiting the completion of a new permanent structure. As the clock ticks on, chaos, discomfort, and frustration of this makeshift arrangement is the order of the day. Priya Pandari Vernekar, a fish vendor, expressed her concerns to The Goan. “We hope the work will be completed on time,” she said. She also highlighted the challenges of operating in the temporary setup, where vendors no longer have designated spots V as they did in the old market. “Now we sit wherever we can. Since we know each other, we manage to adjust, but it’s confusing for customers,” Vernekar explained. Without designated spaces, customers often roam the footpath searching for their preferred vendor, which complicates business. “Some customers come specifically to buy from me, but others just purchase from the first vendor they come across,” Vernekar explained. While overall sales have remained steady, she noted that this arrangement makes it challenging to maintain consistent customer traffic. Another vendor, Ambertha Fernandes, shared similar MARKET FIASCO „„No designated spots for vendors „„Lack of adequate sitting arrangements „„Vendors occupy spots on first-cum-first-serve basis „„Overcrowding, disarray order of the day concerns. While she appreciated the temporary shade that offers relief from the sun, she pointed out the lack of adequate seating arrangements. “We arrive early to claim a spot, but if we’re late, someone else might take it. We manage, but it’s far from ideal,” she explained. Fernandes noted that vendors pay a fee to the collector to operate in the market, and despite the challenges of the temporary setup, they are making every effort to maintain cleanliness in the area. The temporary fish market, to work in a wealthy man’s house. Harijan revealed that every morning around 9 am, the victim girls including her would be taken to an office where men would select girls. She was picked after 5-7 days and the man who chose me took her to his lavish house. “I cooked for him (Sheikh) and his family and retired to my room, which had no latch. The same night, the man called me and demanded sexual favours. I refused and threatened to harm myself, warning him he would be blamed,” she said.  Even Sheikh’s wife could not help her. Harijan resisted his threats, insisting she would only do housework. Furious at her defiance, the agents demanded Rs 2 lakh for her release, eventually negotiating it down to Rs 50,000.  She was brought back to the >Continued on P5 New Maha govt on December 5 MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in of the new government in Maharashtra on December 5 as Devendra Fadnavis emerged frontrunner for CM’s post.  >> See pg 6 n Gas balloons burst into flames n SP Sucheta suffers injuries Gas balloons go up in flames at the Rumdamol ground during the annual sports meet of AIM school on Saturday. THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Beware! Releasing gas balloons to mark inauguration of events and sports meets can prove costly. Chances are that the balloons may burst because of friction, leaving the people around with burn injuries as was seen at the Annual Sports Day of AIM’s Educational Institution at the Rumdamol Panchayat ground on Saturday morning. Superintendent of police (Training) Sucheta Dessai, who presided over the event was left with minor injuries after the gas balloons burst, throwing a ball of fire right in the midst of the guests and organisers. Sources said that Sucheta was taken to the hospital after she sustained minor burn injuries before she was discharged after administration of first aid. The incident occurred moments after SP Sucheta declared the Annual Sports meet open, when the organizers brought multi-coloured gas balloons for release from her hands to mark the grand opening of the event in the presence of Chairman of AIM English Medium High school >Continued on P5 PROMPT ACTION „„Cyber Crime Cell swiftly begins inquiry „„Email restored within 4-5 hours, all measures taken to ensure security of account as well as to rule out any misuse „„CM’s Gmail account is linked to YouTube and other social media platforms three years after CM’s Facebook account was allegedly hacked in July 2021, and the hackers sent messages to contacts seeking financial assistance for medical emergencies. Facebook user Pramesh Asolkar shared on the platform that a hacker, impersonating Sawant, requested a loan of Rs 30,000 and >Continued on P5 Testing time for fish vendors in Panaji market THE GOAN I NETWORK Sindhu cruises into Syed Modi Int’l final Pg 8 set up on a narrow footpath, has resulted in overcrowding and disarray. Customers often find the space cramped and chaotic, particularly during the bustling morning and evening hours. Anthony Fernandes, a frequent visitor to the market, described the current scene as “chaotic and overpopulated.” He explained, “the space is cramped, and there’s no clear organization. People just rush in, grab their fish, and leave.” Reflecting on the old market, Fernandes noted that it offered more space, allowing customers to browse and negotiate leisurely before making their purchases. >Continued on P5 PRESENTS PRESENTS FRANCIS XAVIER: DNA OF XAVIER: FRANCISiAh aSAINT i n s p i r i n g fa t n d u n i t y DNA OF A SAINT PRESENTS A SPECIAL EDITION BOOK FEATURING…  Messages, reflections from the Pope, 2 Cardinals,  i n s p i r i n g fa i t h a n d u n i t y 1 Archbishop and 1 Auxiliary Bishop  25 Articles on the influence of St Francis Xavier  21 Fascinating details pertaining to St Francis Xavier  86 Photos, 57 Images,  including 28 photos/images  from 8 Expositions BOOKS AVAILABLE AT OLD GOA & SELECT OUTLETS F O R E N Q U I R I E S, CO N TAC T Melvyn Misquita | PH: 9860597117 TO B O O K / BU Y CO P I E S, CO N TAC T Mukesh Sharma AREA: Tiswadi, Mormugao PH: 8698939778 Vijay Mangale AREA: Bardez, Pernem PH: 9075760380 Vishal Gad AREA: Bicholim, Sattari,  Ponda, Dharbandora PH: 9423398413 ASHFAQ SHAIKH AREA: Sindhudurg Ph: 94224 34496 Mangesh Desai AREA: Salcete, Sanguem,  Quepem, Canacona  PH: 9922582700