Margao police bust prostitution racket

PANAJI: Margao police on Thursday raided a hotel at Khareband and rescued four girls involved in prostitution. Police sources informed that, acting on a tip off that flesh trade was going on in the hotel, the Margao police team conducted a search of the hotel and arrested two persons - Muthu Kumar, a native of Tamil Nadu, and Leslie Fernandes from Chinchinim, alleged customers in the flesh trade.Four girls, who were forced into prostitution, were rescued by the police team. Manager of the hotel, Lester Barreto, and the receptionist Anthony Raj were also arrested on charges of conspiracy, police sources said.
Majorda sarpanch refutes extortion allegations: The sarpanch of Majorda-Utorda-Calata panchayat, Moses Vaz, has thrown his weight behind his three fellow members of the panchayat who have been booked by the Verna police on charges of extortion, as published in TOI edition dated April 9. Vaz has refuted the "baseless" accusations made by Alexio Pereira in his complaint to the Verna police. He has pointed out that as the accusations are of "bribe giving", the complainant is "abetting the crime and therefore he should be immediately booked for the offence as a bribe giver". The sarpanch said he was offering the explanation "in order to uphold the dignity of the village panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata".
Archbishop's House to remain closed on April 12
On the occasion of Lok Sabha elections to be held on April 12, the offices at the Archbishop's House, Altinho-Panaji, will remain closed, states a press note issued by Fr Olavo Caiado.
Goa's 5th Bal Gurukul inaugurated at Cuncolim: Bal Gurukul was recently inaugurated at St Anthony's High School, Veroda-Cuncolim. Guest of honour Jose Mario Quadros appreciated the management's initiative to avail Bal Gurukul for the benefit of rural students, particularly for those who hail from very weak socio-economic families. Fr Michael Rebello, manager of St Anthony's High School, lauded the efforts of headmistress Soraya De Souza to bring the Bal Gurukul and ensure the welfare of downtrodden students from the vicinity. The Bal Gurukul at St Anthony's School is the fifth in Goa and the 151st in India. Indian Development Foundation's (IDF) manager C A Mathew was among others that graced the occasion.
Certificate course in Romi Konkani held: Broadway Book Centre, Panaji, in an attempt to promote the learning of Romi Konkani in Goa, recently held its first certificate course at Panaji. Four students attended the coaching sessions, where the focus was to read Romi Konkani with emphasis on comprehension, basic vocabulary and basic grammar. The students were engaged in various language learning exercises, such as repetition drill, structural table drill, pattern practice, grouping the vocabulary according to gender and number, etc. Well known Konkani linguist Fr Pratap Naik, SJ, was the main resource person. He was assisted by Jose Salvador Fernandes, who was also the former secretary of Dalgado Konknni Akademi.