Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Three offences were registered against unknown persons by Vasco police in connection after the late evening clash between two religious groups, which reportedly took place after a stone-pelting done by some individuals from a minority community during the religious procession of the majority community on Sunday on the occasion of Ram Navami at Islampur-Baina area.
Speaking to the reporters on Monday morning, Salim Shaikh, Deputy Superintendent of Police Vasco, told reporters that on the occasion of Ram Navami, two majority community outfits had asked for permission to hold a religious procession in the town.
“One outfit was given permission. Police took utmost precautions to avoid clashes between religious communities since this is a holy month for several communities,” he said.
DySP further added that at the fag end of this procession, a problem arose when they received allegations from some people that some individuals had pelted stones at the religious procession, and few people were hit by these stones.
“Further, to verify this, most community individuals went near Masjid, and at that time, some special child was found running from the road, who was beaten by the mob according to the intel,” he said.
The said child’s medical examination has been done, DySP said.
Earlier, when the majority community outfit reached near Masjid, minority community locals were offering prayers and came out to find out about the issue, and there was a commotion between the two groups.
Police Inspector Nitin Halarnkar and his team rushed to the site and brought the situation under control at that time.
DySP Sheikh further said that after this incident, people from minority communities rushed to the police station alleging assault on their members. Vasco police assured them to assess the investigation’s CCTV footage and vehicle numbers.
When questioned about a large number of people gathered outside the Vasco police station on Sunday night, DySP said that many people from Panaji and other places from Goa rushed to the Vasco police station to control this situation, additional staff was deployed. “Three offences on unknown persons have been registered by the police so far. Arrests will be made of the people involved in this clash directly or indirectly. Strict action will be initiated against the instigators,” he added.
Mormugao MLA Daji Salkar also expressed shock over this incident and said that such kind of incident had never happened in the past.
“I have met DySP, Vasco Police inspector and have asked for free and fair investigation of this matter. He added that there are complaints and counter complaints from both sides that need to be investigated properly,” he added.