log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 136 GOA Villages eye control as Act swaps ‘special’ for ‘spatial’ 2 3 GOA Miraculous escape for Saleli fly as house wall collapses Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO What is Seborrheic dermatitis? Effective remedies for hair loss QUEENS OF CRICKET! India clinches first-ever Women’s World Cup SHAFALI, SMRITI SCRIPT HISTORY PM HAILS, NATION REJOICES THE 52-RUN VICTORY S I mriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma etched new records to their name in the in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. Mandhana overtook former skipper Mithali Raj (409) to register the most runs (434) scored by an Indian batter. Verma scripted a new record as the opener blasted 87 off 78 balls, the highest score by an Indian batter. She eclipsed the previous record held by Punam Raut, who had stroked 86 in the 2017 ODI World Cup final. ndia women won their first-ever World Cup title with a 52-run win against South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai. In a 299-run chase, the Proteas were bundled out for 246. Earlier, Shafali Verma’s robust 87 was followed by combative knocks from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh before South Africa rallied to limit India to 298 for 7. Deepti’s run-a-ball 58 with three fours and a six and Richa (34 off 24 balls) provided the much-needed late impetus. ‘Bahubali’ rocket propels ISRO into history, injects heaviest satellite PTI SRIHARIKOTA The heaviest communication satellite to be launched from the Indian soil onboard a new generation, homegrown ‘’Bahubali’’ rocket was successfully placed into the intended orbit on Sunday, ISRO said. The communication satellite CMS-03, weighing 4,410 kg was flown on a LVM3-M5 rocket enabling the Indian space agency accomplish this rare feat. CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite and would provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, according to ISRO. The satellite was placed in the desired Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It is also a replacement to the GSAT 7 series, launched in 2013. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the launch vehicle successfully injected the communication satellite in the required orbit. The “4410 kg satellite is precisely injected,” he said. In his address from the Mission Control Center post launch, he described the LVM 3 satellite as ‘’Bahubali,’’ in an apparent reference to its heavy-lift capability. P rime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team for winning its first-ever World Cup. “A spectacular win by the Indian team in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Finals. Their performance in the final was marked by great skill and confidence,” he said. The nation rejoiced as celebrations erupted across the country, with fans hailing the historic triumph. Report on pg 12 Ganga-style ‘Ghat Aarti’ project gets CRZ okay VENTURE TO COME UP AT NARVE-BICHOLIM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) spiritual project to develop banks of the Mandovi River at Narve as ‘Ghat Aarti’ -- in line with aarti performed on the banks of the Ganga -- has got CRZ clearance. The Corporation is going to spend Rs 10.5 crore to develop an “aarti deck,” which could also include a larger-than-life statue of Lord Shiva. The GCZMA during its meeting held last month accorded CRZ clearance to the project on a condition that all the facilities to be developed should be temporary in nature and should be away from mangrove buffer zone area. The development of the ‘ghat aarti’ will include the construction of a puja mandapam, an aarti deck, seating areas, a ticket counter, a cafeteria, and a tourist information centre, along with a floating jetty, small boats, and a ferry ramp. “The Authority decided to approve the project subject ‘GHAT AARTI’ PROJECT: KEY TAKEAWAYS „„Project estimated to cost Rs 10.5 crore „„Proposed features include Aarti deck, puja mandapam, seating area, ticket counter, cafeteria, tourist information centre, floating jetty, small boats, ferry ramp, possible statue of Lord Shiva „„Project likely to be completed in 12 months with the Architect & consultant being Darashaw & Company GCZMA RIDER: Structures must be temporary & no construction to be taken up in mangrove buffer zone to the condition that no structures shall be erected in the mangrove buffer zone,” GCZMA said, adding that the mangrove buffer zone should be avoided for the development purpose as it is an ecologically sensitive area. The Expert Committee recommended that the develop- FUELLED BY FESTIVE DEMAND, GST RATE CUT… ment with the No Development Zone if required for local inhabitants may be permitted under CRZ notification 2011. According to the sources, the project is expected to be completed with a period of ten to twelve months. The tourism >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Driven by festive demand and a boost from the recent GST rate cut, the auto sector in Goa witnessed record-breaking monthly sales in October with a considerable 7.8 per cent rise compared to the similar period in 2024. The month saw as many as 11,317 new vehicles getting registered following an unprecedented surge in demand. OCT NUMBERS Two wheelers: Four wheelers: Pure EV vehicles: EV, Hybrid & BOV: Cabs/taxis: Rent a bike: Luxury cars: 7,536 2,691 673 1,023 260 290 58 In October 2024, 10, 494 new vehicles were sold, when the GST was at 28 per cent for small as well as luxury cars. As per the official data, more than 90 per cent of the total vehicles were non-transport vehicles --10,260-registered in October, of which 2,691 were four-wheelers and around 7,536 were two-wheelers. According to the automobile sector, strong sales were recorded across brands such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hyundai, MG, etc, with >Continued on P5 PTI LONDON Ten people have been injured in a stabbing attack on a train in the UK, which has been declared a major incident and led to counter-terrorism police joining the investigation on Sunday. Nine of those injured are said to have suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack on Saturday night, when armed police stormed the train at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire, eastern England, to make two arrests. A man with a large knife is believed to have been shot by an officer with a taser shockgun after what is being described as a bloody rampage on the train after it left nearby Peterborough station. Ten people have been taken to hospital following a multiple stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire, the British Transport Police (BTP) said in a statement on Sunday. Nine are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. A major incident has been declared and Counter-Terrorism Policing are supporting our investigation, the statement said. 11 Goa holds special place in my heart, says Anand Bouncers assault tourists at nightclub in Vagator SEVERAL HURT; ANJUNA POLICE REGISTER FIR HOW IT HAPPENED THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In yet another shocking incident highlighting the dark side of Goa’s coastal nightlife, tourists – including young women from Varanasi – were brutally assaulted by bouncers and staff of the controversial nightclub Romeo Lane at Vagator on Sunday noon. Anjuna Police have registered an offence late in the evening but no arrests have been made. What began as a minor disagreement allegedly turned into a violent attack, with the club’s night manager and bouncers assaulting the tourists using iron rods, wooden sticks, kicks and punches, leaving several injured. The victims, part of a family group of eight to ten people, were rushed to hospital with bleeding injuries. According to eyewitnesses, the group had gone to the club for dinner and drinks when the altercation began. “My brother was dancing on the floor when he accidentally brushed against a waiter. The staffer got angry and the manager joined in the argument. Suddenly, around 15 to 20 bouncers came charging „„Eyewitnesses revealed a group of 8-10 people were at Romeo Lane for dinner and drinks „„Some among the group were dancing and accidentally brushes against a waiter „„Staffer gets angry… manager joins argument „„Suddenly, around 15 to 20 bouncers come charging, assault the men using iron rods, wooden sticks, kicks, and attacked the women too „„The victims were rushed to hospital with bleeding injuries POLICE CLAIM: An official said the tourists “acted irresponsibly and started drinking from another table,” that lead to the clash and started beating my brothers and even attacked us,” said one of the young female tourists, recounting the ordeal. Another woman from the group described the assault as “horrifying”. “They hit my brothers on their backs and even slapped and shoved us. We were terrified. We always believed Goa was safe for women – but after this, I don’t feel safe anymore,” she said. However, a police official claimed that the tourists “acted irresponsibly and started drinking from another table,” leading to the clash. After receiving a complaint from one of the tourists Ms Vaibhavi Singh (24), Anjuna Police have registered a case under Sections 352, 118 (1), 74 R/w 3 (5) of BNS of 2023. When contacted, club manager (administration) Dinesh Khera denied any knowledge of the incident, saying he “was on leave”. This is not the first time Romeo Lane has found itself in controversy. The nightclub, located close to the shoreline, has repeatedly been in the news for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. In 2023, the Goa Coastal >Continued on P5 2 cops among 5 arrested in Pernem sand-mining case STRICT DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST ALL POLICEMEN INVOLVED: SP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The case of the October 28 firing incident at Ugvem in Pernem in which two migrant labourers were injured got murkier on Sunday with the Pernem police arresting five persons involved, including two constables from the India Reserve Battalion (IRBn). Police said, Nehal Nitin Mahale (20), Ashish Shivaji Mahale (24), Akash Arun Mahale (24), IRBn Constable Rishikesh Dasharat Mahale (32), and IRBn Constable Gangaram Gopichand Mahale (34) have been arrested for the shooting incident which followed disputes over unauthorized sand extraction in the Terekhol river. The indiscriminate sand-mining sparked concern among local residents that it could cause damage to their agricultural land, police said. The firing incident had  occurred in the wee hours of October 28, when unknown assailants opened fire on labourers engaged in Police register separate case PANAJI: Pernem police have registered a separate case against two canoe owners and five labourers for illegally extracting sand from the river without valid permits.  The canoe owners -- Robert Agnel Fernandes (46) and Ashok Shridhar Mulgaonkar (48), both residents of Porascodem, Pernem — were arrested along with the labourers who were working under their direction at the time of the firing. Police have invoked multiple sections of the law to address the environmental violations. sand mining. Two labourers, both natives of Bihar, had sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against all police personnel found involved,” Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Rahul Gupta, IPS, said while confirming that the IRBn constables will face departmental inquiry in addition to criminal charges. Gupta who addressed the media at the Pernem police station said that efforts are underway to identify the broader network behind the sand mining racket.  “We are committed to fixing accountability and ensuring that those responsible for environmental degradation and violence are brought to justice,” Gupta said. The twin cases have reignited calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and greater oversight of law enforcement personnel. Locals have welcomed the arrests but remain concerned about the long-term impact of unchecked sand extraction on their farmlands adjunct to the Tiracol river. Cops, GSPCB ignore HC’s CCTV rules on coastal clubs Auto sales hit top gear this Oct compared to last year D THE GOAN I NETWORK Mass stabbing on UK train; 9 critical, terror link suspected 9 SPORTS PANAJI espite clear directions from the High Court of Bombay at Goa, both Anjuna Police and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) have failed to maintain CCTV footage of clubs and restaurants along the coastal belt – a crucial measure mandated to monitor noise pollution and law enforcement compliance. An RTI inquiry has revealed that the Anjuna Police has no CCTV footage from any venue or restaurant within its jurisdiction between August 1 and October 3, 2025. Similarly, the POOR ENFORCEMENT EXPOSED „„RTI inquiry reveals Anjuna police has no CCTV footage from any venue or restaurant within its jurisdiction between August 1 and October 3, 2025 „„GSPCB too, admitted to not having any footage for the same period „„HC in its order had explicitly directed that all establishments along the coastal belt must retain CCTV footage for at least 30 days „„HC had also ordered that footage be stored on both a physical hard disk and backed up on a cloud-based platform „„Order also made it mandatory for all venues to ensure uninterrupted power supply to CCTV systems, weekly reports on CCTV functionality etc GSPCB, which is also responsible for maintaining CCTV footage records of licensed establishments, admitted to not having any footage for the same period. The High Court, in its order on Contempt Petition No 12 of 2023 related to noise pollution, had explicitly directed that all establishments along the coastal belt must retain CCTV footage for at least 30 days.  The court had further ordered that the footage be stored on both a physical hard disk and backed up on a cloud-based platform. The order also made it mandatory for: All venues to ensure uninterrupted power supply to CCTV systems, weekly reports on CCTV functionality to be submitted to the local police station and forwarded to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and licensing authorities to make CCTV compliance a condition for granting or renewing licences, covering both indoor and outdoor areas of each establishment. However, the latest RTI findings suggest that these directives are not being followed raising serious questions about enforcement and accountability. “This is a clear case of >Continued on P5