The accused in the State Bank of Mysore robbery at Margao is presently cooling his heels behind bars when this writer visited the Police Station.
The accused Mr Santimano Moraes hails from Bemclowaddo Cuncolim (not related to prominent Moraes's from Cuncolim). A gulf returnee he ran a bar at Fatorda but the same turned out to be an unsuccessful venture he later returned to Cuncolim and was dealing is wholesale of fish which business also turned unsuccessful. It is not clear whether gambling which is otherwise a common sport in most villages under the eagle eyes of the police could have been the cause of his financial status. But the motive now gaining currency is his dues to retrieve a scooter given for repairs according to the police FIR. The charges slapped on him are attempt to murder 307 attempt to robbery 394 of IPC by the PI investigating the same. Incidentally the investigating officer PI Santosh Desai is a native of Cuncolim. The only possibility of bail is if he is declared of unsound mind and that depends on the pressures that work. The pistol used in the firing is now in possession of the police and efforts to investigate its origin licence could give good leads to the motive and the other two involved in the crime, which could have claimed innocent lives. It is not clear yet whether the pistol is licenced. Today being the week end for government officials the Collectorate South is still examining the records when this writer made discreet enquiries with the officials. When this writer visited the Police Station this evening he briefly saw the accused in a remorse state as a sizeable crowd from his native village were around the police station. According to some Mr Moraes is a warm loving and affectionate helpful person but the misfortune that has struck him owing to his misdeamenours could have led him to this unimaginable crime. It is not strange to see that many successful Goans working in the Gulf countries and as seafarers have been unsuccessful back home and obviously it is because the level of corruption institutionalised bv our politicians who support a corrupt bureaucracy. It is alcohol and gambling that is finally resorted to and eventually the vicoius circle of a Gulf returnee and a seafared ends up to where he began from. Estranged spouses and way ward children are the social fallouts and this is more prominent among the Catholic community in the Velhas Conquistas but has slowly but surely taken the toll among the Hindu migrants as well. The lessons in this unsuccessful robbery attempt is the reflection of this dilema facing several Goan NRIs The Bank Manager and Cashier are recovering from their ordeal so are the bnearly all female staff of the Bank. Officials from headquarters have come to get a first hand information of the developments. Meanwhile the Bank officials of other Banks are gearing up to face such ordeals though actual action will follow only after the jigsaw puzzle is clear. GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your friends 'n family snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://in.photos.yahoo.com