PANAJI
LED display boards flashing the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad” in North Goa’s coastal belt set off alarm and outrage among the locals, prompting swift police action. The Calangute and Anjuna police booked nine persons for displaying seditious and anti-national message, amounting to propaganda against the nation.
Details shared by the police with the media revealed that in the incident occurred at Whiskey Pedia, a wine store at Arpora, the scrolling slogan appeared on the LED board on Monday night prompting FIR. Ranchit Bhatia and Vipin Pahuja, both from Haryana; Vinay Chandra Rao and Krishna Lamani, both from Karnataka; and Manoj Kumar from Bihar were booked for the offense.
In a similar incident reported from New Revive Unisex Salon at Calangute, four persons including Mohd Farman (25), Noushad (35), Mohd Shavez (21), and Rakesh Das (49) — were booked.
“The accused allegedly conspired and intentionally displayed the same “Pakistan Zindabad” message through the LED display board, visible to the public, causing fear, anger and provocation among general public. The act was intended to promote enmity, disturbance and outrage, amounting to psychological and propaganda warfare," the police said.
Both FIRs invoke stringent provisions under sections 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India) read with 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of BNS and sections 66 (C) (identity theft) and 66(F) (cyber terrorism) of the IT Act.
