Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has invoked the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, authorising the District Magistrates of North and South Goa to exercise preventive detention powers for the next three months.
An order issued by the Department of Home (General) on November 5, and signed by Under Secretary (Home-I) Manthan Manoj Naik, states that the decision was taken “having regard to the circumstances prevailing in North and South Goa.” The notification allows both District Magistrates to act under Section 3(2) of the NSA to detain individuals whose actions may be deemed prejudicial to public order or state security. The notification will remain in effect for three months from its publication in the Official Gazette.
Simultaneously, the state government has constituted an Advisory Board under Section 9 of the Act, chaired by Justice (Retd.) Utkarsh V. Bakre, with Sayonara Telles Laad and Vandana M. Tendulkar as members. The board will review detention cases made under the NSA during the notified period.
The move follows a directive from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who had earlier asked the police to submit a formal proposal to invoke the NSA, citing the need for stronger action against habitual and organised offenders. Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the government would “act strictly against anti-social elements creating nuisance in the state.”
In their proposal, Goa Police pointed out that since August 1, several offenders had been detained under preventive provisions but these measures were proving “insufficient to neutralise repeat offenders and organised elements.”
According to police sources, the decision was also influenced by recent public unrest over incidents such as the alleged assault on activist Rama Kankonkar, which drew protests from citizens, opposition leaders and rights groups.
