MARGAO
The stage is finally set for the celebration of Shivaji Jayanti on Tuesday, with the administration drawing up an alternate route for the procession away from Margao city and requisitioning additional personnel to maintain law and order along the procession route, especially in the communally sensitive Gogol and Rumdamol housing boards.
DySP Raju Raut Desai and Fatorda PI Navlesh Desai on Monday morning rushed to the Gogol Housing Board upon being told that the statues of Shivaji Maharaj were brought for installation inside a temple complex. The police, later withdrew from the site after it became clear that Shivaji statues will be installed inside the temple complex with permission.
Meanwhile, Margao Sub-divisional Police Officer, DySP Raju Raut Desai, told The Goan on Monday evening that the police have drawn up the procession route away from the city. While the procession as usual will start from the Gogol Housing Board, it will then wend its way through the communally sensitive Rumdamol Housing Board before it comes out at the Eastern bypass near the Maruti Mandir.
However, instead of heading to Aquem-Margao, DySP Raju said the procession will take a turn towards the Bolshe circle, Gogol, before heading to Borda and then to the SAG ground.
To a question, DySP Raju said the police have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the Gogol and Rumdamol housing boards when the procession enters these areas. “The police had shifted the Julus procession last year because of the traffic congestion in Margao city. We have taken a similar decision for the Shivaji Jayanti procession as well,” DySP Raju added.
