MARGAO
The Margao police have instructed the conflicting Shiv Premis from Margao to settle the dispute regarding the Shivaji statue amicably. Failing this, the police have threatened to write to the South District Collector to take possession of the statue.
The two groups confronted each other during the Shiv Jayanti procession in the city, each demanding custody of the statue and float. To prevent further unrest between the factions, the Margao police confiscated the float along with the Shivaji statue and summoned representatives from both groups on Wednesday to resolve the matter.
Margao's Sub-Divisional Police Officer, DySP Santosh Desai, stated that the police have urged the groups to reach a peaceful resolution before involving the District Collector. "Both parties are adamant about claiming possession of the Shivaji statue. We have suggested they consider entrusting the statue to a neutral third party or alternative location," DySP Santosh explained. He added, "If no resolution is reached between the groups, the police will notify the Collector to take necessary action to secure custody of the statue."
