MARGAO
Police were deployed in strength around the Sunni Gulistan Masjid premises at the Gogol Housing Board as a precautionary measure in view of the Friday prayers.
For, a week ago, a murder had taken place at the entrance gate of the mosque following clash between two groups of people to control and manage the affairs of the place of worship.
Since then, Deputy Collector Ganesh Barve has ordered closure of the place of worship until further orders.
Sources, however, informed that a group of persons wanted to have the Friday prayers at the Masjid, but the Fatorda police turned down the plea, saying that the Masjid has been sealed by an order issued by the Deputy Collector, Margao.
In fact, Fatorda police station in-charge, PI Ditendra Naik told the delegation to approach the district authorities with a plea to open the mosque for worship. Since the district authorities issued no order de-sealing the place of worship, the Fatorda police made elaborate security arrangements at the Masjid as a precautionary measure to ensure law and order.
The Fatorda police had arrested a total of seven persons in connection with the murder. Of the seven persons, three have been remanded to judicial custody. The remaining four accused have filed for bail before the court.
