MARGAO
In a major development, the South Goa District Magistrate has on Saturday rejected the request of anti-jetty policy agitators to take out a peaceful rally on Sunday against the controversial Jetty Policy 2022 on grounds it may result in traffic jams and law and order problems.
The motorcycle rally was called by the opponents of the jetty policy on Sunday. The rally was scheduled to start from Canacona in South Goa and wend its way through the villages before culminating in a meeting at the Azad Maidan, Panaji.
South Goa district Magistrate Jyoti Kumari, in an order issued on Saturday, said the request of the applicant Xavier Fernandes of Rainbow Warriors for the conduct of a peaceful rally on October 30, from 2 pm to 6 pm from Cavelossim to Panaji in solidarity with the rivers is rejected.
The Magistrate’s order comes following a report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, South Goa, based on the comments received from Sub Divisional Police Officers of Margao, Quepem and Ponda that in view of the tourist season, a large number of national & international tourists visit Goa.
The police report has stated that the rally is proposed to be held on the long stretch of around 90 kms which also passes through many villages and highways, which will affect regular traffic.
The police further said there are inputs that the number of people are likely to join the rally and some young generation will also join the rally which will cause traffic congestion, resulting in a law & order situation.
The SP report further stated that in order to maintain law & order and to avoid conflicts on the road the SDPO Margao, Quepem & Ponda has a strong objection and informed that the request of the applicant for the peaceful rally on October 30 may be rejected.
The applicant had informed the district Magistrate that the rally has been called in solidarity with rivers from Cavelossim to Panaji through Salcete, Ponda and Tiswadi talukas and that the participants from Canacona will join the rally at Chinchinim, Salcete and from Sanguem/ Sanvordem will join at Borim, Ponda.
