HERALD PUBLICATIONS-MAY 16

S U N D A Y

O HERALD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, sunDaY, maY 16, 2010

Visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

Sports: Modi comes up with voluminous reply Pg 20

Ex-VP Shekhawat passes away

JAIPUR: Former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat died today of cardiac arrest, two days after he was admitted to a hos-

pital here complaining of uneasiness and breathing problems.

87-year- old Shekhawat

Goa: No idea of CCP moving Campal ground project file -- Joaquim Pg 3

breathed his last at 11:10 am at the Swai Man Singh Hospital, Dr Narpat Singh, Superintendent of the hospital, said. (PTI)

FOREIGNER-RELATED CASES

Bombay HC agrees to designated court: CM HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 15

Chief Minister Digamber Kamat today said the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court has assured to have designated court to hear the cases related to foreigners in Goa on a day to day basis. “I had asked the chief justice to have to a designated court to hear such cases, which he agreed. We want that the culprits involved in offences against foreigners be punished,” Kamat said.

The chief minister also said that the existing beach management safety scheme has been extended till 11 p.m. so that the security on beaches is not compromised.

Kamat was addressing a gathering on the occasion of handing over patrolling vehicles to the Goa Tourism Department by World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTTCII), this evening.

Kamat said that offences

against tourists are unfortunate incidents which happen where tourism is the backbone of the economy. “The government is trying their best to nab the culprits and in many cases, the judicial process has already started,” Kamat said.

The chief minister asked Tourism Secretary M Modassir and Director Nikhil Desai to ensure that the vehicles donated

by WTTCII should not be misused. “In the past there have been instances wherein ambulances donated were seen outside theatres in the night,” he cautioned.

The private players in the tourism field donated 15 jeeps and seven two wheelers to the Tourist Security Force, an elite force that is being conceived to look after safety of guests in this coastal State. These vehicles will patrol the coastline from extreme South to North.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Sri(Continued on page 10)

Burglars strike Vasco flat HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 15

In a daylight burglary, burglars decamped with gold ornaments, electronic items and cash worth Rs 5.79 lakhs from a flat in Pushpanjali Building in (Continued on page 10)

pRiCE Rs. 3.00 (air surcharge Rs 1.50) pages 20+6

India: ls Deepika making Sonam feel insecure? Pg 9

pg2:Layout 1 5/16/2010 2:17 AM Page 1

Pg2

HE RA LD

GOA

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Fomento seeks public help to tackle Sonsodo

Says waste plant to be operational by March 2011 HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

Soliciting community participation in tackling the Sonsodo waste problem, Fomento Green and Waste Management Services has maintained that the waste treatment plant at the Sonsodo site would be operational by March 2011.

The company, however, laid great stress on community participation, especially on the vital aspect of segregation of waste at source to deal with the daily generation of waste in the Commercial Capital.

“Work on the setting up of the treatment plant would begin from October 1 this year. We hope to complete the plant in early 2011 and the plant would be operational in all respects by March 2011”, maintained the Chief Executive Officer of Fomento Green and Waste Management Services at an interaction with the citizens at the Ravindra Bhavan here on Saturday evening.

Incidentally, the company has said the proposed land fill site created at Sonsodo will be capped after a period of five years and it would be the responsibility of the Margao Municipal Council to identify alternate land for the land fill site to take care of rejects for the next 25 years.

“We as citizens of Margao should realize our responsibilities not only in respect of segregation of waste at source, but

Madgavkars should display their collective will to solve the problem”, Kamat added.

He said Fomento would take up temporary measures at Sonsodo immediately by capping the site with tarpaulin and build surface drainages to prevent leachate flowing in the water bodies. “Sifting and sieving of the waste would be carried out simultaneously by the company at the site”, Kamat said, while asserting that waste segregation at source is mandatory if the project has to succeed.

In his welcome address, Chairman of Fomento Group, Audhut Timblo solicited the involvement and cooperation of Madgavkars to make the project a big success.

“Unless the people of Margao are passionate about their city, we will not make much headway with the waste management project”, Timblo said, adding “our journey will be tough if Madgavkars does not come forward and cooperate with the company”.

Incidentally, Margao Municipal councillors were conspicuous by their absence at the interaction. Only MMC Chief Officer, Y B Tawde and two Municipal engineers were conspicuous by their presence.

Though the exercise was to keep the citizens abreast of the plans by Fomento at the dumping site, only a handful of citizens turned out for the interaction.

Truck driver, cleaner hurt in Vasco mishap HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 15

A truck driver and a cleaner were injured when the speeding potash-loaded truck turned on its side at F L Gomes Road near St Andrew’s Church, Vasco, early Saturday morning.

According to Vasco police, the accident occurred after truck driver Ram Ashare lost control over the truck (GA-02-T-7454).

Both the driver and cleaner escaped with minor injuries.

It may be recalled that the sharp turn at F L Gomes Road has become a death trap, as earlier speeding vehicles like ammonia tankers, coal trucks and oil tankers have turned turtle.

Considering the growing number of accidents at the site, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza had suggested the disaster man-

agement official from Sub-Divisional Magistrate office and traffic police to lay speed humps, which are used in locations where low speeds are desired and used to reduce vehicle speed.

Ornaments, cash stolen HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

Unknown culprits decamped with gold ornaments and cash worth over Rs 1.5 lakh from a residential house at Madel-Margao.

Margao PSI Suraj Gawas informed that unknown culprits barged into the house and decamped with the valuables and cash.

The police have registered a case of theft.

Duo held for holding bullfight HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

The Maina Curtorim police arrested two persons under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for organizing a bullfight at Chandor on Saturday morning.

The police said they arrested one Balu and Velino for allegedly organizing the bullfights. They were later released on bail.

Death condoled

PANJIM, MAY 15 (HND) BJPGoa State mourned the demise of exvice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The press release states that Shekhawat was a guiding figure and played a major role in building and shaping the present BJP. The country has lost a mass leader, a statesman and a leader who always championed the cause of poor people.

pg3:Layout 1 5/16/2010 1:55 AM Page 1

GOA

HE RA LD

Pg3

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

No idea of CCP moving Campal Shripad blames police ground project file: Joaquim for deteriorating law HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 15

The tussle over handing over of Campal Football ground continues with Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao claiming that he has no idea of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) moving file to take over the project.

“They need to consult me before putting up any such proposal. Neither the corporation nor the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) have given any idea about it,” Alemao said.

He said that till date no such proposal is been placed before me by the corporation.

Alemao, who is also a chairman of Goa Football Association (GFA), said that SAG has also not approached him over any such letter from CCP. The corporation in March, 2010 had written a letter to the Sports Authority of Goa ((SAG) asking to hand over he football ground for the development. But the SAG had said that they have not received any such proposal.

“If such proposal comes in near future, SAG will completely oppose to it as it is maintained well by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC),” SAG Director V M Prabhudessai had told Herald earlier.

Meanwhile, a senior CCP official has said that

n “They need to consult me before putting up any such proposal. Neither the corporation nor the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) have given any idea about it,” Alemao said. the role of the minister doesn’t come into picture as SAG is also an autonomous body.

“The corporation can take its independent decision. CCP has just written letter to hand over the ground. If SAG agrees then the proposal will be placed before Urban Development Ministry through Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA),” senior official said.

Alemao said that it’s not possible to take up the developmental work of the ground as GFA doesn’t have enough funds. “Even the corporation is going under same crisis,” he added.

The corporation is planning to opt for funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for carrying out the developmental work of the football ground.

Land filling: Orlim locals cry foul over police inaction HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

Orlim villagers cried foul as directions by the Town and Country Planning Department to the Colva police to stop land filling at Orlim by a mega housing project builder went abegging since the last five days.

It was on May 10 that Town Planner Rajesh Naik asked the Colva police to stop the land filling immediately and to direct the party to clear the dumped mud from the property and restore the land to its original form since no permission has been obtained for the mud filling.

It’s five days now since the Town Planner wrote the letter to the Colva Police Station incharge, but there’s change in the ground situation, claimed local villagers.

In fact, the villagers claimed that when they approached the Orlim police outpost, they were told by the men-in-uniform they can stop the work on condition they receive the request from the panchayat body.

“We have knocked the doors of the TCP, the police and the Panchayat body, but the violations by the builders continue on the ground. Why are the villagers made to run from pillar to post when the authorities ought to act on their own”, remarked Kim Miranda, Incidentally, Town Planner Rajesh Naik had requested the Colva police to take necessary action as per the provisions of Section 17-A of the TCP Act. Interestingly, TCP officials say the police are supposed to act based on the request made by the Town Planner, reminding that land filling prior permission of the Chief Town Planner under section 17-A of the TCP Act and that the violation of this provision of the Act is a cognizable offense.

The Orlim villagers have been waging a battle against a mega housing project consisting of 66 flats in the village. In the past, the TCP had issued a notice to the builder to discontinue filling or development in the low lying area. However, inspection by the TCP officials on May 10 revealed that the directions issued earlier were literally thrown to the winds as evident by the development work in the property in question.

Ruling Davorlim VP body does not owe allegiance to Cong, says Churchill group in Davorlim panchayat Leon Raicar said the group did not contest the polls after panch member Martin Rocha obtained a stay from the Supreme Court on his disqualification. He said the five-member group is solidly behind the Congress and Alemao in Davorlim.

“We did not contest because the opposite group had a majority after the Supreme Court granted stay to Martin Rocha”, he said.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

Asserting that his group has five Panch members in the 11-member Davorlim Village Panchayat, PWD Minister and Navelim MLA Churchill Alemao has said that the ruling body does not owe allegiance to the Congress party.

A day after newly-elected Davorlim Sarpanch Francisco Sebestiao Dias claimed that his ruling is aligned to the Luizinho Faleiro group; the PWD Minister said his group of Panchas in the Davorlim panchayat is with the Congress party.

“I have five panch members with me in Davorlim panchayat.

They are the Navelim block Congress president Leon Raicar, Mahila Congress president Rajini Raicar, Arcanjo, Fatima and Minguelina. My group did not contest elections for the post of Sarpanch following the stay obtained by the disqualified panch member. I will ascertain the grounds for granting the stay by the court. My group will contest the post after two months”, Alemao asserted.

“The ruling panchayat body is not with the Congress. Only my five panchas are with the Congress party”, he reiterated.

A member of the Alemao

and order situation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 15

North Goa Bharatiya Janata Party MP Shripad Naik on Saturday said the law and order situation in the State was deteriorating day after day and directly placed the onus for the situation on senior police officers from the State cadre.

Naik reinforced his party’s demand for having Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in important postings such as district superintendents and in the Crime Branch. Having IPS officers in key positions will help the State in controlling the narcotics-related crimes, he asserted.

Presently, the State with just two districts has three Goa Police Service (GPS) officials holding three crucial posts, which includes posts of two district SPs and one SP Crime. The former BJP President stressed on posting of IPS officers in these positions to tackle the crime scene effectively.

A senior IPS official said the posts of district SP and SP Crime in the State have been held by IPS officers because they were less prone to succumbing to pressure by politicians and also they have lesser local stakes or interests.

The official said the Home Ministry was using the State cadre officers to put pressure on IPS officers thus holding them to ransom.

However, as of late, insiders in the police department are openly speaking about a rift between the state cadre and IPS officers.

However, at a recent press conference Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ravinder Singh Yadav said all these were rumours and there was no such rift. SP Crime Atmaram Deshpande, who was present, supported Yadav’s comment.

mOre gOa news On page 8

BCom student hangs to death HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 15

In a tragic incident, a first year BCom student died by hanging himself on Saturday.

Cuncolim police said the 19-year old youngster, Omkar Kumbarlkar, who was residing at Cuncolim,

was found hanging dead on the wooden frame of the kitchen door. He used a jute rope to hang himself on the wooden frame, the police said.

The Cuncolim police have registered a case of unnatural death. The police are conducting further investigations.

HE RA LD GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg4

HE RA LD

pg5:Layout 1 5/16/2010 2:05 AM Page 1

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg 5

GOA

HE RA LD

Pg 8

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Renovated MMC Children’s Park attracting many kids HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 15

The renovated Children’s Park of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) is serving as an ideal place of leisure for children during summer holidays.

The newly renovated park has a colourful caricature painting of Disney World and latest playing equipments, courtesy Zuari Industrial Limited and City Councillor Daji Salkar for his constant follow-ups with corporate house to take up the work.

During the last two years, the park has undergone a major facelift that has attracted many

children to visit the park.

“As radio was part of the entertainment in the park, which was abandoned nearly four decades ago, we thought of reviving it to entertain the parents, who come along with their children in the park,” said Salkar.

He appreciated the assistance of ZIL for providing new additional equipments and taking minor repair and painting work of the park.

The Children’s Park in the heart of Vasco city, which was established in 1939, had limited numbers of equipments.

It may be recalled that two

years ago, then MMC chairperson Carlos Almeida had garnered help from ZIL and installed latest playing equipments and carried out renovation work.

“During our childhood, we had very limited equipments, but things have changed in the recent past, as number of playing equipments has attracted the children,” said Reshma Mamlekar, who brings her two children for leisure activities at the park.

She said the authorities should maintain the park, as this is the only park which has a number of playing equipments.

Quepem forum assured of resolving mining related woes HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, MAY 15

Deputy Director of Transport Prakash Azavedo on Friday assured members of Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front (QTMAPF) that mining trucks with planks will be directed to remove it from May 17 or they will not be allowed to ply along the roads.

Azavedo gave the assurance at a joint meeting with transport officers and QTMAPF members in Quepem DySP’s office. The meeting was called to discuss and find a solution to overloading, over speeding and non-implementation of the High Court order.

The Front members brought to the notice of the deputy director of transport that all mining trucks operating in Quepem have planks attached to the truck.

“The planks are attached in violation of Section 52 of Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and Section 136 of Goa Motor Vehicle Rules 1991,” members told Azavedo.

They sought to know from Azavedo whether the planks fixed are legal, to which he replied: “They are illegal.”

The members demanded immediate removal of the planks

and those trucks not removing it should not be allowed to ply along the road.

Azavedo assured the members that his department would enforce the assurance given from may 17.

The Front members warned Azavedo that if it is not implemented, then they will be forced to take up the issue before high court.

The members questioned Azavedo why High Court order regarding overloading of trucks was not implemented. Azavedo said his department had issued challans for over 116 trucks for overloading, but despite issuing challans, the trucks are continuously overloaded.

“There is shortage of enforcing officers in RTO office Quepem and the number of mining trucks plying along the road is more. Hence our officers cannot act on all the erring trucks,” he said.

However, he assured the members that the number of enforcing officers in Quepem will be increased in the days to come.

The members also brought to the notice of the traffic cell that trucks are not regulated properly at the monitoring

point.

“Instead of releasing one truck each from Cavrem and Rivona side per minute, at least 10 trucks are released in a minute’s time from both the sides,” claimed the members.

The members requested the deputy director of transport to carry out on the spot inspection of mining trucks whether they are overloaded or not. Azavedo and other officers agreed to inspect and the spot was fixed near Cindio Apartments.

Media persons and members went forward and waited at the spot, but the traffic officer to the surprise of the members and media persons instead of carrying out inspection at Cindio Apartments went to Curchorem and did not turn up.

Retreat at Parra PANJIM(HND)

Salvation Ministry will be conducting a one day retreat on May 19 at Emerald Lawns, Parra, from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Bro Anil will preach on the Word of God. Come and experience God’s power, healing and deliverance and be blessed, says a press release.

INDIA

OHERALdO = =

Pg9

GOA, sundAy, 16 mAy, 2010

No difference between party, govt on tackling Maoists: Khurshid said the "root causes" of the problem need to be addressed while tackling it decisively.

"While we must address acts of terror decisively and forcefully, we have to address the root causes of Naxalism", she said in the "Letter to the Congresspersons" in the first remarks on the issue since a controversy had broken out over Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh's article criticising Home Minister P Chidambaram's handling of the problem.

When Singh's comments had triggered a controversy in the wake of April 6 Dantewada massacre, Congress distanced itself from them and said such views should be expressed in

party fora only.

Asked about Gandhi's remarks, Singh said there was "no difference" between the approach of the party and the government in tackling the issue.

He suggested he had penned the article at a time when there was talk of a "military strategy" to deal with Maoists.

Echoing similar views Khurshid stressed that the context in what something is said needs to be understood.

"When Congress President writes, she writes from an over-all view of anything.

When Home Minister speaks, he speaks directly about Home Ministry's responsibility. When a general secretary of the party speaks, he tries to address a

large number of people," Khurshid said.

Asked whether Gandhi's insistence on addressing the root causes of Naxalism points to any softening of the stand on Naxalism, Khurshid replied in the negative.

"There is no shift. There is no softening of the stand. Congress President has spoken exactly what everybody understands it (stand of Naxalism) has to be. Every person gives a view in a certain context. Congress President takes an over-all view. The context should not be seen as a shift. It should rather be seen as a focus. One person will focus on one dimension, the other on something else," Khurshid said.

Framing of charges ordered against Sajjan Kumar

Heroin worth Rs 97 cr seized

anti-Sikh riots.

CBI had accused Kumar of provoking people against members of a particular community during the carnage that followed the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, leading to the killing of five persons in Delhi Cantonment area.

On the other hand, Kumar

PTI KALANAUR (PUNJAB), MAY 15

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 15

Rejecting any differences between the party and the government on the issue of tackling Maoists, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said both are on the same page on the issue.

"Government and party are on the same page over the issue ... there are no differences of approach, only the difference of words. Who says what is also related to what is one's responsibility," Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters here.

In the midst of the debate on the right approach to dealing with Naxalism, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 15

A Delhi court today ordered framing of charges against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case relating to murder and spreading enmity between two communities.

Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta allowed CBI's plea seeking prosecution of Kumar under various sections of IPC after finding prima facie evidence against him.

The court said that the charges under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to property), 153A (promoting enmity between different communities) will be framed formally on May 18.

The framing of charges will pave the way for trial in the case. The Delhi High Court had earlier issued direction to complete the trial within six months of cases relating to

The former Outer Delhi MP had also contended that the case against him could not stand as CBI re-registered it even though a Delhi court had given him a clean chit, accepting a cancellation report filed

by Delhi Police.

The probe agency, however, had also sought framing of charges against Kumar for being involved in sedition saying he had incited people belonging to one community against another.

Besides Kumar, other accused in the case are Balwan Khokhar, Krishan Khokhar, Mahender Yadav, Captain Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal. CBI had filed two charge sheets against Kumar and others on January 13 in the riots cases registered in 2005 on the recommendation of Justice G T Nanavati Commission which inquired into the sequence of events leading to the riots.

ANTI-SIKH RIOT CASE

Another cop arrested in cartridges racket PTI BALLIA (UP), MAY 15

Another policeman was arrested here today in connection with the cartridges racket, where arms and ammunition of security forces were being supplied to anti-socials and possibly naxalites.

Superintendent of police V K Shekhar said that Ram Krishna Shukla, constable armourer at the police lines here, was arrested in connection with the racket, being run by the police and CRPF personnel.

had claimed the accounts of CBI witnesses were not reliable as they had changed their versions a number of times.

"There are contradictions between different statements and affidavits given by witness Jagdish Kaur. She did not name Sajjan Kumar either in her first statement before police on November 3, 1984, or before Justice Rangnath Mishra Commission and Jain-Banerjee Committee that inquired into the riots," he had claimed.

Heroin worth Rs 97 crore in the international market, pushed

by Pakistani smugglers inside India, was seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) at Indo-Pak border in Gurdaspur sector today.

Patrol party noticed some suspicious movements at about 4 AM near Bohar Wadala check post fence from Pakistan side, Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG) Gurdaspur S S Chatrath told reporters.

The security force immediately started search operation and saw two Pakistani smugglers pushing the consignment into Indian side, the DIG said adding our soldiers fired two shots forcing them to flee.

19.750 kg contraband was stuffed in 19 packets.

One China made pistol, two magazines and 20 rounds were also found in the consignment, Chatrath said.

Katiyar sent me away from dais twice: IPS officer tells court PTI RAE BARELI, MAY 15

An IPS officer, who said L K Advani had made a provocative speech in Ayodhya moments before the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 (rpt 1992), today told a CBI court that she was twice sent away from the dais

by BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, a move seen to keep her away from the hub of action.

Anju Gupta, who was the personal security officer of Advani, was replying to questions by the defence counsel during the hearing of the Babri Masjid demolition

case.

To counsel H D Sharma's question on how long she stayed at Ramkatha Kunj manch (dais) after reaching there for the first time, the IPS officer said she was there only for a few minutes.

"Within a few minutes of reaching the dais Vinay Katiyar asked me to go to the police

given and in between slogans raised."

"The crowd present there was swelling in numbers and it was responsive towards programmes being coordinated from the dais. The crowd was also cheering the leaders," she said.

Gupta said when she reached the control room to get the convoy's direction changed, she could hear speeches being made.

In reply to a question, the officer told the court that Advani alighted from his car near the control room and walked all the way to Ramkatha kunj, which was 150 to 175 metres away.

Gupta said when she reached Ram Janambhoomi complex at 10.15 am, thousands of people were already there.

The defence counsel asked Gupta if, during her to and fro movement between Ramkatha kunj and the control room, she saw people performing symbolic 'kar seva'.

"I saw some seers performing religious rituals," she said.

Gupta said in none of the orders given to her by the district administration the word symbolic 'kar seva' was mentioned.

BABRI MASJID DEMOLITION control room and get the direction of Advani's convoy, which was parked, changed," she said.

Gupta said when she returned to the dais, Katiyar asked her to bring Advani's car to Ramkatha kunj as the leader would face difficulty in reaching the control room due to the presence of a huge gathering.

At this point Sharma asked her to clarify whether after reaching the dais she heard leaders announcing repeatedly about how and where the symbolic 'kar seva' was to be performed.

When asked by Sharma whether 'bhajan' and 'kirtan' was being performed at the dais when she reached there, Gupta said, "When I reached there, speeches were being

Is Deepika making Sonam feel insecure?

Is Deepika making Sonam Kapoor feel insecure? Yes, it's true that this duo created magic together in Saawariya, but going by what Sonam has to say; they might never come together on screen again.

Sonam is bagging on all the compliments she is getting for her look in the upcoming ‘I Hate Luv Stories’ and is all excited for the release of this film.

She also has some more solo projects in her kitty like ‘Ayesha’ with Abhay Deol, ‘Come on Pappu’ with Akshay Kumar, and ‘Thank You’, again with Akshay Kumar and Abhay Deol.

Ranbir and Sonam gathered accolades for their romance in Saawariya but exactly the same round when the movie released, the paparazzi went crazy over the news of Ranbir dating Deepika, and it seems Ranbir took away the thunder for this film which did not go

down too well with Sonam.

Deepika and Ranbir's link ups seem to be a hot topic with the media and Sonam has no intention to get involved in this web. She is maintaining a safe distance from Ranbir when it comes to films.

Sonam has learnt the traits of the industry very soon and chooses to make a mark in the industry on her own identity.

She has decided not to work with Deepika because of some differences with the actress and has no qualms about it.

Sonam and Deepika made their debut at almost the same time, but it seems Deepika has taken the lead. Is this why Sonam is feeling insecure?

Nevermind, we are sure that this Jr Kapoor will buck up really quickly and deliver a hit soon. As for her and Ranbir coming together again, the audiences will just have to be patient for now!

APPOINTMENTS

HE RA LD

NEWS

Pg10

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Militants regrouping in PoK to cross over to Indian side PTI ISLAMABAD, MAY 15

Militants have regrouped in large numbers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and are crossing the Line of Control to sneak into the Indian side of the Himalayan region, local residents and political leaders have said.

The militants have regrouped and launched jehadi activities in the Neelum valley on the Pakistani side of the LoC, local politician Arif Shahid said. Local residents and Shahid said the militants were not from PoK. "Jihadi activities have been restarted during the last few weeks," said Shahid, the secretary general of the All Parties National Alliance.

"Most of the activities are concentrated in the Neelum valley along the LoC," Shahid told the

BBC. Shahid, who had visited the region with other APNA leaders, said the militants were based there in large numbers and had set up camps in the area.

"The men are not locals – they have long hair and beards. Most do not speak the local language," he said.

Residents of Neelum valley backed Shahid's assertions. "We are scared... The armed men are moving around the area and are trying to cross the border," a local resident said.

"We can make out from their appearances and languages they are not from any part of Kashmir," the resident said.

Shahid said he believed that militants are planning to sabotage ongoing peace negotiations between India and Pakistan.

"They have set up camps in the region and many are crossing the border... This is the start of another proxy war," he said.

Following a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh last month, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries recently agreed to meet in Islamabad on July 15 to nudge the peace process forward.

Shahid's comments were supported by Jammu and Kashmir National Liberation Front leader Shaukat Maqbool Bhat. "The fighters are there and they are regularly crossing into India," Bhat said.

Indian and Pakistani troops regularly fought artillery duels and exchanged small arms fire till a ceasefire was put in place along the LoC in November 2003.

China school attacker gets death rap PTI

BEIJING, MAY 15

A Chinese court today sentenced to death a man who attacked and hurt 29 children and three teachers at an eastern Chinese city kindergarten last month.

The convicted unemployed man was the second to receive the capital punishment after five separate attacks on children across the country in less than two months.

The Taixing Intermediate People's Court found Xu Yuyuan guilty of "intentional homicide" after a half-day open trial, which was attended by 300 people, Forty-seven-year-old Xu admitted to the court his motive was to vent his rage against society. But he appealed against the death sentence, saying the punishment was too severe since no one died in the attack.

15 rounded up in cop killing case PTI HYDERABAD, MAY 15

The police here have rounded up 15 persons for questioning in connection with the killing of an unarmed constable by suspected terror operatives in old city yesterday.

A constable attached to Andhra Pradesh Special Police U Ramesh (26) was killed when one of the three motorcycleborne assailants wearing masks opened fire at him in Shali Banda area under Hussaini-Alam police station limits.

“We have picked up 15 persons for questioning and gathering information from the shop-owners of the area who were eyewitnesses to the incident”, a senior police officer told PTI. The police suspect that a terror operative Vicar Ahmed alias Vicaruddin, who has been absconding for the last three years, could be the mastermind behind yesterday's incident, the officer said.

The probe into the shooting has been handed over to Special Investigation Team (SIT), an ex-

pert probe wing of the city police, he said.

Meanwhile claiming responsibility for yesterday's killing of a constable here, a little known city-based group having alleged links with LeT and SIMI has warned of more “revenge attacks” if perpetrators of the Mecca Masjid firing were not brought to book.

Police found a CD near the place where the constable died after the firing by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in the Old City area here.

The CD contained neither any audio nor video, but had a letter in Urdu attributed to Tehrik-eGaliba Islam warning of more attacks if the government fails to order arrest of those responsible for police firing after May 18 Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad three years ago, police said.

The group said several innocent Muslims were killed in the police firing immediately after the blast, adding it would take revenge if government failed to arrest those involved in the firing.

Ex-UK minister attacked by eve Reuters LONDON, MAY 15

Former British minister and senior Labour MP Stephen Timms escaped death narrowly after being attacked by a knife-wielding Muslim woman, a resident of his constituency.

The woman who was not identified lunged at him and stabbed him twice in the stomach as Timms held a meeting for his constituents in his East London constituency yesterday, before one of aides bravely overpowered the woman, wearing a Muslim full dress and scarf, police said.

The arrival of the aide Andrew Bazeley, 22, who had come to see Timms' on an appointment proved providential for one of the longest surviving and least

controversial member of the outgoing Labour government, as he grabbed at the woman and wrestled to disarm her.

Unmesh Desai, an Indian born election aide of Timms and a local councillor, said, "Thank God. Andrew had the presence of mind to take away the knife and restrain the woman until security guards arrive."

Stephen Timms, who is the MP for East Ham and was reelected to the Commons in the recent General Elections was rushed to the Royal London Hospital and was said to be recovering.

Scotland Yard said a knife had been recovered from the scene. The metropolitan police said investigations were in progress.

From Page 1 Bombay HC agrees

vastava, speaking on the occasion, lauded private players joining hands with the government over safety of tourists. “Goa is a safer place, government is very much interested in booking the culprits and making this a safe destination,” Srivastava said.

WTTCII Chairman Arjun Sharma said that the attacks on foreigners in Goa shook not only international tourism but also domestic tourist inflow. He said that this is for the first time that such an initiative has been taken in the country.

He said that some incidents of attack of foreigners are blown out of proportion which brought bad repute to the State.

Sharma said that this is first step towards imbibing safety of tourists visiting the State.

WTTCII Vice President Vivek Nair and renowned journalist, Dilip Cherian also spoke on the occasion.

Burglars strike Vasco flat

Vasco on Saturday afternoon.

According to Vasco police, some persons decamped with the booty from the flat belonging to Narendra Mukundrai Rajani, a garment businessman from Vasco, between 10.30 am and 2.30 pm.

Police informed that the occupant had gone to his shop at about 10.30 am, while other family members are out of station. However, when Narendra visited his flat in the afternoon, he found the main door lock broken and the entire flat ransacked.

Vasco police said five gold chains, pendants, other gold items and some electronic items amounting to Rs 4.79 lakh were missing, besides cash of Rs 1 lakh was also found missing.

Police claimed that similar modus operandi was used by the burglars in other thefts and robberies in the port town earlier.

Vasco police pressed dog squad and finger print experts to provide lead in the case.

However, after temples and computer shops, now the burglars have reverted back to flats and houses, as barely one and half month ago, two computer shops were broke open and about 21 laptops worth Rs 10 lakhs were stolen.

OHERALdO = = GOA, sundAy, 16 mAy, 2010

Pg11

HE RA LD

Pg 12

InDIA

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Kidnapped M’rashtra forest official still missing UNI MUMBAI, MAY 15

There has been no information on the whereabouts of senior official of forest department, Vijay S Bardekar, who was allegedly kidnapped by Bodo militants in Arunachal Pradesh, where he had gone on a vaca-

tion, Maharashtra Forest Minister Patang Rao Kadam said today.

Chief Minister of the state Ashok Chavan is in constant touch with his counterparts in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam regarding the whereabouts of the missing officer, the minister

said.

In a TV interview, Mr Kadam said ''We are concerned over the reports of Bardekar and in this regard the government is in touch with the security officials''.

In his early 50s, Bardekar, an officer of the 1984 Indian Forest Service (IFS) batch, is currently the Joint Director (Administration) in the Social Forestry Directorate in Pune.

Reports reaching here yestarday indicated that Bardekar was reportedly kidnapped from

Daimara village in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, late Thursday night when he was preparing to spend the night there.

HE RA LD

pg13:Layout 1 5/16/2010 3:16 AM Page 1

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg 13

H ERALD GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg14

HE RA LD

Pg15 GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

HE RA LD GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg16

Continued on page 17

Goa Communications Systems

HE RA LD GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg17

Goa Communications Systems

pg18:Layout 1 5/16/2010 1:57 AM Page 1

SPORTS

Pg18

GOA, Sunday, 16 May, 2010

Goa girls in finals, boys in semis tennis ball cricket HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 15

Goa girls defeated Vidarba by

37 runs to enter the finals of 15th Sub-junior tennis ball cricket organised by Goa Tennis Ball Cricket Association in collaboration with SAG at Nehru stadium, Margao on Saturday.

Vidarba scored 37 runs in 8

overs. Melissa of Goa took 3 wickets. In reply, Goa scored the required runs in 4.4 overs.

For Goa, Dhanashree topscored with 11, followed by Dixita and Pooja 6 each. Goa will meet AIIB in the finals on Sunday.

Earlier in the quarter-finals, Goa trounced Rajasthan by 9 wickets. Rajasthan scored 57 for 5 in 8 overs. In reply, Goa achieved the target losing 1 wicket.

In the boys section, Goa defeated Rajasthan by 28 runs to move into the semi-finals. Batting first, Goa scored 61 for 5. For Goa, Subham topscored with 29, Atish 24. In reply, Rajasthan were

33 all out. Suyash claimed 3 for 9 while Gourish and Tushant snatched 2 wickets each for Goa. Other results – girls: Chattisgarh bt Madhya Pradesh, Vidarba bt Uttar Pradesh, AIIB bt Jharkhand.

Boys: Madhya Pradesh bt Chattisgarh, Kerala bt Maharashtra, Bihar bt Delhi, Jharkhand bt J&K, Assam bt Chandigarh, Orissa bt Himachal Pradesh, AIIB bt Telangana.

Salgaocar memorial veterans soccer finals: Salgaocar's Veterans v. Customs and Central Excise, Goa, Nagoa ground, 5 p.m.

Salgaocar memorial U-16 soccer finals: Salgaocar Sports Club v. Bresources, Betalbatim, Nagoa ground, 3.45 p.m.

U-19 I-League: Salgaocar SC v. Dempo SC, Duler ground, Mapusa, 4.30 p.m.

St Anthony’s Super Soccer final: St Anthony, Colva v. Betalbatim Sporting, Colva ground, 4.30 p.m.

Lakhanpal Novino Gold Cup soccer quarters: Adarsh YS v. FC Siolim, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

Eslinda Alemao memorial soccer: Mandopa SC v. Gloria SC, Mandopa ground, Navelim, 4.30 p.m.

Shooting Star soccer: Fr. Agnelo Paroda v. Varca SC, Ambelim ground, 4.30 p.m.

5th Al-Fatah T20 cricket finals: Politics SC v. New Vaddem SC, Chicalim ground, 2 p.m.

1st control cricket, organised by Jago Citizens Welfare Trust, near Rosary church, Fatorda, 6 p.m.

SPORTS

GOA, Sunday, 16 May, 2010

Sporting for Kolkata HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 15

Sporting Clube de Goa trounced Musli Power Churchill Brothers 8-1 in the U-19 I-League football tournament at Duler ground, here on Saturday.

Sporting qualified for the 2nd phase in Kolkata after topping the Goa zone with 10 points with 3 wins and a draw.

A brace each by Joston Pereira and Pedro Gonsalves helped Sporting to demolish Churchill.

Pg19

SPORTS

Goa girls in finals, boys in semis Pg. 18

GOA, SUNDAY, 16 MAY, 2010

Pg 20

Sporting trounce Churchill, qualify for Kolkata Pg. 19

www.oherald.in

Churchill flays change in referees for AFC match HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 15

Churchill Alemao today took up the matter of the change of supervising match officials in Churchill Bros v. Al Qadsia round of 16 AFC Cup match in Kuwait on Wednesday, with the AFC. Churchill said that as per the official communication routed through the AIFF on April 12, the referee and the assistant referees nominated for the match were all from Singapore, with the fourth official being from Maldives. How, these were changed and Bahrain (referee and assistant referees) and Qatar (fourth referee) officials nominated for the match, is a mystery,” disclosed Churchill and added that these four were from the Gulf itself, just like Qadsia. “ This major and sudden change was not intimated to us and we came to know about it only the previous day of the

In BrIef

Nadal, Venus in Madrid finals Rafael Nadal rallied past Nicolas Almagro of Spain 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Saturday to reach the Madrid Masters final.

Venus Williams reached her first Madrid Masters final by defeating Shahar Peer of Israel 6-3, 6-0.

Nadal is 14-0 on clay this season, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. He has lost only two sets during that run, and is looking for a record 18th Masters title. Nadal and Andre Agassi have won 17 each, while Roger Federer has 16.

Alonso wrecks Ferrari, to miss qualifying Fernando Alonso will start tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix from the pit lane after wrecking his Ferrari in final practice for the showcase race of the Formula One season.

A Ferrari spokesman said the Spaniard, a two times winner in the Mediterranean principality with Renault and McLaren, had damaged his chassis beyond repair in the crash today morning and would not take part in qualifying.

Double world champion Alonso is currently second in the championship, three points behind McLaren's Jenson Button after five races.

Alonso ripped the right front wheel off the car and smashed into the metal barriers at Massenet on the approach to Casino square.

NZ women to clash with Oz in T20 final Sara McGlashan starred with a 55-ball 84 as New Zealand beat hosts West Indies by 56 runs to set up a summit clash against traditional rivals Australia in the Women's World Twenty20 here.

Riding on McGlashan's blazing knock, New Zealand, who finished runners-up at the last edition of the event, made 180 for five in their 20 overs.

In reply, the hosts could only manage 124 for eight in stipulated 20 overs last night. McGlashan was declared player of the match.

Indian eves beat New Zealand A hattrick by striker Rani Rampal enabled India to beat hosts New Zealand 32 in the first women's Test at the Endeavour Trust Twin Turfs here today.

India led 2-1 at half time as both sides attempted to play structured attacking hockey which resulted in a very tight game.

Sunil, Lalitha strike gold Sunil Kumar of Police and Lalitha Babar of Railways struck gold in the men’s and women’s 5,000 m to kick start the 50th National Open Athletics Championships at the Maharaja’s College Stadium today.

Kaneria, Mervyn arrested Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, and young pacer Mervyn Westfield have been arrested by Essex police for alleged spot-fixing in Essex's Pro40 match against Durham last September. Both the Essex cricketers were questioned before being released on bail until September 15, pending further inquiries, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

l Singapore referees replaced by Bahrain trio for Qadsia match

match and that also through the Match Commissionner in Kuwait. With our rivals Qadsia being also from the Gulf region, it stands to reason that Gulf referees ought not to have been appointed even if the Singaporean referees were not available, only for the sake of absolute neutrality and impartiality,” explained Churchill.

“I have the entire match recording and one can see that the goal scored by Odafa after our team was down 0-2 in the first half was a legitimate one.

There is no case for calling for off-side as the assistant referee did not wave the flag. There is no case for pulling Odafa for any infrigment as the striker is in the clear. How and why the Bahrain referee diasallowed the goal remains a mystery,” reasoned out Churchill.

“You watch the match record-

India’s ambassador in Kuwait Ajay Malhothra witnessing the AFC Cup pre-quarter final match alongwith PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Savio Alemao, Quelon Alemao, Frazer Alemao in Kuwait on Wednesday.

Photo: Peter Figueiredo

ing and it is obvious that the refereeing was biased, with Churchill Bros being at the receiving end for most part of the game. Since the referee is supreme and his decisions on point of facts are unquestionable, we have lodged our protest against the change of the offi-

cials under the point of law that referees from the same region cannot be listed for a match involving a team from the same contiguous region, much more so when referees from Singapore were assigned the task as can be seen from the letter from AFC,” remarked Churchill.

India in Azlan Shah final a must-win match, while Abd El Hakim Ahmed (68th) was the lone Egyptian goal-getter.

India will take on Korea in the summit clash tomorrow.

India had earlier made six appearances in the final of the tournament and ended on the victorious side on four occasions in 1985, 1991, 1995 and 2009. They had lost to Argentina in the 2008 title clash by a golden goal.

PTI IPOH (MALAYSIA), MAY 15

Drag-flicker Dhananjay Mahadik scored a hat-trick as defending champions India crushed Egypt 7-1 to enter the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today.

Mahadik (34th, 40th, 42nd minute), skipper Rajpal Singh (44th), Rupinder Pal Singh (48th), Tushar Khandekar (49th), Sarvanjit Singh (70th) scored for India in what was

Modi comes up with voluminous reply PTI MUMBAI, MAY 15

Suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi today responded to the first showcause notice served to him for alleged financial irregularities with a staggering 12,000-page reply, which according to his lawyers, will leave BCCI with no choice but to re-instate him in the post.

Modi, who had got an extension of five days from May 10 deadline, submitted his reply through his lawyers, who brought in the papers in six cartons amidst the media frenzy at the Cricket Centre, the Board's headquarters here.

BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty received the papers and documents on behalf of the Board and said all the concerned people will be given the copies.

Modi's lawyers Mehmood Abdi talked with the waiting media for close to 30 minutes and said the reply had "sufficiently and fully addressed" all the allegations against his client.

He expressed confidence that BCCI would drop the showcause and re-instate Modi as IPL Chairman after going through the voluminous reply.

"We have given all clarification, nothing is left from our side, except that the showcause notice must be dropped immediately. All the allegations have been sufficiently and fully addressed," Abdi

told reporters.

Modi's lawyer said the BCCI will not find it difficult to read and scrutinise the voluminous reply since its President was himself a lawyer.

"According to me, the suspension should be revoked today and Mr Modi should be reinstated as IPL Commissioner because the BCCI President is a renowned lawyer and has the habit of reading 1,000 pages in a minute. So, I feel he should not take much time in reading our reply.

"There is no scope for BCCI to keep their charges alive now. I am 100 per cent confident that BCCI President will be satisfied to drop all the charges against Mr Modi.

"I feel it has been painful for Mr Modi to hear that he has brought disrepute to the game based on oral allegations. Just few days earlier he was the hero. He was the subject matter of studies in universities and in one moment he was turned into a fall guy," he said.

"The BCCI gave us a 35-page showcause notice and we have given a reply to that in 160 pages, including the covering. Our reply contains nearly 8,500 to 9,000 pages and two copies have been provided to BCCI -- one for President Shashank Manohar and the other for secretary N Srinivasan," Abdi said.

Ashes rivalry renewed as England, Australia clash PTI BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), MAY 15

TODAY’S MATCH Final Australia v. England 9 pm

Australia's brute batting force and consistent bowling would be put through a stern test against a spirited England when the two Ashes rivals clash in the finals of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup here tomorrow.

Australia go into the match with sky-high confidence after chasing down a seemingly improbable 191 against Pakistan in the semifinals last night.

But it would hardly be a stroll in the park for Michael Clarke's men as England have played some outstanding cricket in the championship and just like Australia, they have been unbeaten since the Super Eights stage.

England, who were hardly seen as title contenders before the start of the tournament, have been a revelation with an array of attacking batsmen and bowling all-rounders.

They bat deep and have bowled with purpose and discipline right through the com-

petition. Their fielding has been good as well.

But Paul Collingwood's men cannot match the Australians in talent and versality despite having the tenacity and confidence to take on their arch-rivals.

However, the fast and bouncy Kensington Oval wicket will pose a challenge to the English batsman, who haven't faced the kind of pace which Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait generate, in this competition yet.

The tearaway Australian quicks have consistently bowled at over 145 kph and have extracted disconcerting bounce from the bone-hard surface.

But this being their first major championship final in six years, England would be as keen as Australia to take the title back home. But to achieve that, they would have to play their best cricket yet.

Anjuna in quarters nerul cup

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 15

Anjuna Gymkhana got the better of Sangolda Lightning 4-3 via the tie-breaker after the teams were involved in a 1-1 draw to enter the quarter finals of 17th Nerul Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul ground on Saturday.

Anjuna began the match on a positive note and forged ahead in the very 3rd minute through Saprem Diukar off Gautam’s

cross. Stung by the reverse, Sangolda fought back and restored parity in the 10th minute through Nilesh Palyekar off James Soares cross.

Changing over, the teams tried to outdo the other but failed to add to the score. In the ensuing tie-breaker, Gladstone Cardozo, Stanley Sequeira and Saprem Diukar converted for Anjuna while Tome Alvares and Devraj Tari scored for Sangolda. Anjuna goalkeeper Soma Korgaonkar saved three spot kicks while excelling under the bar.

“Abdul Malik Bin Abdul Bashir was listed as the referee, Haja Maidin Bin Peer Mohamed as assistant referee, Tanh Yew Mun as assistant referee 2 (all from Singapore) and Saleem Ali of Maldives as fourth official,” stated Churchill. There was also a change in the Match Commissionner and the Referees Assesor, Churchill added.

Churchill pointed out that the officials were named much before the final group match against Kuwait Sporting Club in Kuwait which decided the placings and since there was a chance that Churchill could finish on top, the AIFF was informed about the Singaporean officials as there was a chance that the pre-quarter final match could be played in Goa. The AIFF had even initiated its move for procuring the visas for the officials if the match was to held in Goa.

“In any case, the appointment of Singaporean officials for the match ought not to have been changed, whether the match was played in Goa or Kuwait, as these were not from the region from where the teams were figuring in the event. Appointing referees from the same region have cast doubts more so as justice did not seem to have been done in our case as can be found out from the TV recording,” stressed Churchill.

“We have placed our case before the AFC through the AIFF. We have asked for a replay under neutral referees. It’s for them to decide now. Depending on their reply, we shall decide about the future course of action which could be even disbanding the team, since we feel that no team should be the victims of such a partiality and bias. It’s certainly not fair play. A similar situation had also occurred when Dempo played in the AFC,” Churchill pointed out.

Drogba’s goal clinches FA Cup, double for Chelsea

Ashley Cole, John Terry, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard of Chelsea lead the celebrations after winning the FA Cup on Saturday.

Chelsea defeated Portsmouth 10 in the FA Cup final and completed the Premier League champion’s first domestic double on Saturday.

Chelsea hit the posts five times and Portsmouth missed a penalty before Didier Drogba curled a free kick in off the post in the 59th minute for his 37th goal of the season.

Salomon Kalou missed an easy chance in the first half, hitting the ball against the crossbar six meters (yards) out in front of an open goal.

Portsmouth could have gone in front just before Drogba’s goal when Kevin-Prince Boateng’s weak penalty kick was saved by Petr Cech’s legs. Frank Lampard also missed a late penalty for Chelsea, with the England midfielder dragging the ball wide.

That Portsmouth survived so long without conceding was unexpected.

Chelsea took less than four minutes to threaten Portsmouth’s goal, with Lampard shooting wide from the edge of the penalty area and seeing a dipping strike hit the goal frame 10 minutes later.

But having upset the odds to reach the final, Portsmouth wasn’t going to capitulate. And having survived intense Chelsea p re s s u re f o r 2 0 m i n u t e s , Portsmouth was only prevented from taking a shock lead by Cech’s reflex save.

Boateng’s deflected volley reached Frederic Piquionne, but the resulting shot from close

range was blocked by Cech.

While fine goalkeeping denied Portsmouth, Chelsea only had dire finishing to blame for not going in front in the 27th.

Ashley Cole forced James to cover the near post before squaring to the unmarked Kalou.

The Ivory Coast forward had an unguarded goal to tap into from close range, but explicably lifted the ball against the bar.

Then Chelsea captain John Terry headed against the bar from Florent Malouda’s free kick.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack appeared to injure his right ankle in a late challenge from Boateng, one month before he is set to appear for Germany at the World Cup. While Ballack was receiving treatment off the pitch—he was eventually replaced by Juliano Belletti—Drogba thought he had given Chelsea the lead with a long-range free kick. But James tipped the ball on to the underside of the crossbar and it bounced down on the line and the ball was cleared.

A post denied Drogba again just before the break when he hit the bottom of one from a tight angle under pressure from James.

Portsmouth’s chance came in the 55th when Belletti conceded a penalty by bringing down Aruna Dindane. Cech wrongly dived early to his right, but his legs blocked Boateng’s weak penalty down the center .

Within minutes, Drogba struck the post with a curling free kick that this time went into the net beyond the outstretched James.

Politics, Vaddem in finals

Arpora in semis

Salgaocar veterans final today

PANJIM (HSD) -- Salgaocar Veterans will lock horns with Customs and Central Excise (Goa) in the finals of Salgaocar Memorial Veterans Soccer tournament organised by Prime Sports Club at Nagoa ground, on Sunday.

Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira will be the chief guest while Nagoa Sarpanch, Domingos Dias and Caetano D'Silva will be the guests of honour. In the U-16 finals, last year winners Salgaocar will meet Bresources, Betalbatim.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 15

Politics Sports Club will meet New Vaddem Sports Club in the finals of 5th Al-Fatah T20 Cricket tournament at Chicalim ground, on Sunday.

In the first semi-finals, Politics defeated Tanzil XI by 4 wickets.

Batting first, Tanzil scored 162.

In reply, Rajesh Godge topscored with 74 followed by Abdul Farid

AGENCIES WEMBLEY, MAY 15

48 helped Politics achieve the target losing six wickets.

In the second match, New Vaddem defeated Goa Police by 51 runs. Although New Vaddem won the match, Goa Police made its claim that Vaddem violated the tournament norms by fielding six outstation players instead of five.

The organisers have asked Vaddem to prove that six players are residing in Goa by Sunday morning.

Nerul advance

lakhanpal cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 15

United Club of Nerul prevailed over PVC, Parra 4-2 via the tiebreaker to enter the quarter-finals of Novino Lakhanpal Gold Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Candolim Sports Club at Dr. Gustavo Mon-

teiro stadium, on Saturday.

There was no score at the regulation time.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, Dennis D'Souza, Newton Pereira, Avinash Pereira and Melvyn Lobo were on target for Nerul while Lourencio Fernandes and Joaquim Pachecho found the mark for Parra.

St Anthony up

PANJIM (HSD) -- St Anthony’s Colva trounced Chicalim Youth Club 5-1 via the tie-breaker in Eslinda Alemao memorial football tournament at Mandopa sporting ground, Navelim, on Saturday.

The teams were level 1-1 at full time.

nagoa cup

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 15

Arpora Sporting Club defeated Football Club of Siolim 3-1 to enter the semi-finals of NagoaArpora Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer tournament at Salt Lake ground, Arpora on Saturday.

Arpora dominated the initial proceedings and shot into lead through German Fernandes off Premanand Gadekar.

A move from German was well connected by Premanand who had a crack at the goal but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced into play. Rajesh Pomburpekar pounced on the opportunity to make it 2-0 for Arpora.

C h a n g i n g o v e r, S i o l i m mounted pressure on the Arpora defence and pulled one back in the 55th minute through Mayur Toraskar off Anthony Fernandes.

Siolim could have levelled the score but a long lob by Mayur missed the mark narrowly with the Arpora goalkeeper beaten.

With time running out, Arpora added another goal through Pramod Mardolkar off Aliston Lobo in the dying minutes.

No brawl happened in Windies Pub: Nehra

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 15

Indian pacer Ashish Nehra today rubbished media reports of players being involved in a bar brawl in the West Indies after crashing out of the Twenty20 World Cup, insisting that no such incident ever took place.

"No one said anything to us.

There were many fans from all over the world from different teams but nothing happened with us," Nehra told reporters.

"There would be many fans who would tell that something happened but as far as my knowledge goes, no untoward

incident happened with us.