the goan I network
MARGAO
In an interesting development, the Rumdamol village panchayat has turned down the plea of a group of youth, seeking permissions for sound, banner and to erect a stall in the communally sensitive housing board locality coinciding with the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan.
Against the backdrop of last year's violent incident witnessed in the Rumdamol housing board, wherein two-wheelers were torched following a banner war between two groups of communities over Tipu Sultan, the Rumdamol panchayat headed by Sofiya Riaz Sheikh adopted a cautious approach as the panchayat received an application from a group of individuals to put up banners in the area and to seek loud speaker permission.
In a bid to diffuse the situation, Sarpanch Sofiya also invited the youth who had applied permission for the use of loud speakers and to put up banners, at the panchayat meeting scheduled on Tuesday morning. The youth was made to understand that since they have applied for permission individually without the backing of any organisation, whether they would take the responsibility for any tension arising out of the celebrations in view of last year's bitter experience.
The panchayat members were also unanimous in their opinion that the permission should be denied since there's no application from any organisation and taking into account the violent incident in the housing board locality last year over Tipu Sultan.
Sarpanch Sofiya later told the meeting that the youth were made to understand and withdraw the application saying the panchayat will not be in a position to grant permission for the use of loud speakers and to put up banners. "I am happy that the youth listened to the advise of the panchayat members and decided not to insist on the permission," she added.
Secretary Faria told The Goan that the panchayat meeting on Tuesday after the deliberations decided not to issue the permission, adding that the individuals who had applied have also agreed not to insist on the permission.
