PANAJI
Grappling with rising street violence and emboldened criminal gangs, the Goa government has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) across the State for three months, a move triggered by the assault on activist Rama Kankonkar and gang rivalry in Mungul, Margao.
The decision, issued through a government order dated November 5 and signed by Under Secretary (Home-I) Manthan Naik, empowers the District Magistrates of North and South Goa to order the detention of individuals preventively, if they are deemed to pose a threat to public order.
“...It is necessary so to do, hereby directs that during a period of three months from the date of commencement of this order, the District Magistrates of North and South Goa may also exercise the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Act within the local limits of their jurisdiction, if he/she is satisfied as provided under said sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Act,” reads the order dated November 5.
The order and notification have been issued over a month after written proposals from the Superintendents of Police in North and South Goa flagged a rise in serious crimes and urged preventive measures to safeguard law and order. The proposal specifically mentioned the assault on Kankonkar and the fight in Mungul, both of which saw arrests of history-sheeters and other known offenders.
Gang fights, assault cases, a firing incident in Pernem, and recent flare-ups inside nightclubs have forced the government to move decisively.
With peak season approaching, the administration wants to ensure that law and order are not compromised,” police sources said.
Beyond the assault and gang fight, Goa has in recent weeks witnessed a series of high-profile law and order incidents — a custodial assault case that led to the suspension of a police sub-inspector and left the victim critically injured; a shooting on two men from Bihar that resulted in the arrest of two India Reserve Battalion constables along with three others; a violent clash outside a nightclub; dacoity cases; and an incident in which a vehicle loaded with firecrackers was set ablaze outside a police outpost on the eve of Diwali.
“The government will keep a check on all anti-social elements, whether they are inside the jail or moving freely outside,” the official added, explaining it would also seek the assistance of jail officials to monitor the movement of inmates.
NSA detentions allow authorities to hold an accused without trial for up to 12 months under certain circumstances.
The Home Department has not specified whether the imposition of the NSA will be extended beyond the three months. “For now, the measure is intended as a deterrent,” the official said.
NSA advisory board constituted
The government has constituted an Advisory Board under the NSA Act, to review detention cases made under the Act. The three-member board chaired by former judge of the Bombay High Court Justice Utkarsh Bakre will also have Sayonara Telles Laad and Vandana Tendulkar, both former District and Additional Sessions Judges as members.
“Any detention order passed by the Collector will be reviewed and confirmed by this Board. For this, the Collectorate Office will have to compulsorily furnish its order file within three weeks; otherwise, it would be termed null and void,” a senior government official told The Goan, on condition of anonymity.
