Panaji (Goa)

The North District Magistrate has revived its order declaring the Hathwada junction as ‘hyper-sensitive’ as the place witnessed serious communal tension over the installation of Shivaji statue.

 “The District Magistrate, North Goa has declared Hathwada Junction as Hyper Sensitive area within radius of 15 meters from erection of unauthorized statue/idol at Hathwada junction at Valpoi, Sattari and further prohibits assembly and gathering of five or more persons and taking out or organizing of processions, the carrying of firearms or weapons of offences such as lathis, swords, daggers or spears, use of loudspeakers and shouting of slogans within the radius of 15 meters around the Hathwada junction at Valpoi which comes under the jurisdiction of Valpoi police station,” the order states.

A year ago, the area that falls in the constituency of Health Minister VIshwajit Rane witnessed tension in Valpoi after a mob tried to install a plaster of Paris statue of Shivaji at the traffic circle in the town where a significant section of the population are from the minority community.

Meanwhile, the DM further directed that, the restriction shall not apply to public servants on duty and to bonafide marriage or funeral processions or any special occasion or occasions which in the opinion of the District Magistrate / Additional District Magistrate / Sub-Divisional Magistrate are genuine and for which prior permission in writing has/have been obtained from District Magistrate/ Additional District Magistrate or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate concerned. Any person/ agency contravening this order shall be punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

It was on February 17 that the Shivjayanti Utsav committee had installed the Shivaji statue at Hathwada junction, but tense situation prevailed after a group of people tore a Shivjayanti Utsav committee banner. As the police failed to take action in the matter, the crowd moved to the junction and installed the statue late night on February 17, triggering clash between the two groups. A huge force of police personnel were deployed to calm down the situation and since then, some policemen is always stationed at the venue.

In November 2017, the Collector had issued prohibitory orders as a preventive measure for public order and peace.  The DM has also been imposing section 144 CrPC on regular basis. 

TEAM TNV