Team Goemkarponn
GOGOL: Members of the Muslim community gathered outside the Sunni Gulistan Masjid at Gogol, appealing to the authorities to reopen the mosque for prayers, nearly days after it was shut following a murder at its entrance.
The incident, linked to a dispute over the management of the place of worship, had left regular religious activities suspended, triggering growing concern among worshippers.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo addressed the gathering and assured them that steps are underway to resolve the issue amicably.
He said a delegation would meet the District Collector on Tuesday evening to formally request permission to reopen the mosque and allow the resumption of normal prayers.
In view, police were deployed in large numbers around the Sunni Gulistan Masjid premises at the Gogol Housing Board area as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
Authorities remained on alert amid reports that some members of the community were keen to hold prayers despite the closure.
The mosque has remained sealed since the Deputy Collector of Margao ordered its closure following a violent clash between two groups over control and administration of the mosque, which culminated in a murder at the entrance gate. The order remains in force until further instructions.
Sources said a group of worshippers had approached the Fatorda police seeking permission to offer Friday prayers, but the request was declined as the sealing order issued by the Deputy Collector had not been lifted.
Fatorda Police Inspector Ditendra Naik advised the delegation to take up the matter with the district authorities, stating that the police could not permit access without official clearance.
Meanwhile, the Fatorda police have made elaborate security arrangements at the site to prevent any untoward incident. In connection with the murder, eight persons have been arrested so far.
Of these, three accused have been remanded to judicial custody, while the remaining four have moved the court seeking bail.
