Letters threaten North dentists to cough up protection money

the goan I networkrMAPUSA rrAt least five owners of dental clinics along the popular coastal belt have received anonymous letters through post asking huge sums of protection money. rFor now, at least two owners have filed complaints with Calangute police and police have registered FIRs in both the cases and are probing the matter further. rAccording to one complainant doctor who received a letter through post on May 22, the writer threatens the doctor to pay up Rs 2 crore as protection money if not to be ready to die along with her family. r“Police aur kisi bhi third party ke pass gai to tera murder conformed samazh lena (In the event you approached the police or any third party then your murder is confirmed),” says the letter written in English script. rIn a very intimidating tone, the letter warns the clinic owner that her clinic and home will be under surveillance. rIncidentally, all the five owners who have received the anonymous letters are women. The complainant doctor has mentioned six names as suspects including her driver, dental assistant, house keeper, house maid and an old driver that she had engaged earlier. rBesides lodging an FIR, the police have not been able to move an inch in the cases even after two months. r“We have registered FIR in both the cases. We have also spoken to the Post Master. Investigations are going on,” said Calangute Police Inspector, Jivba Dalvi. rTo reassure the complainants, the PI said that police pickets have been placed near their clinics. r“We have told the complainants to report to us of any more developments. If necessary, we are also ready to provide them with a police escort,” he added. rAfter prostitution and drug rackets, now it seems extortion racket is raising its ugly head along the popular North Goa coastal belt.