Panaji, Jun 20 (PTI) The order of Calangute Panchayat in Goa to remove the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed roadside resulted in a mob throwing stones at its office on Tuesday. In view of the protest, the North Goa district administration said in the afternoon that the order of the Panchayat stands withdrawn with immediate effect.
Earlier in the day, a mob comprising at least 100 people holding saffron flags marched on the Panchayat office in the morning against the Panchayat’s order.
The order issued on Monday asked a local organisation to remove the statue of Shivaji Maharaj from the roadside as the place needs to be vacated for putting up an electricity pole.
“We are here to protest against the order of the Calangute panchayat. Shivaji Maharaj is an inspiration to everyone irrespective of religious beliefs,” said a protestor.
The announcement to withdraw the order, however, failed to pacify protesters who said they will not leave until Calangute panchayat sarpanch Joseph Sequeira apologise for issuing the order.
North Goa Superintendent of Police Nidhin Valson said the police are trying to defuse the tension.
“We will not apologise as this order was well within the rights vested in me under the Panchayati Raj Act,” Sequeira told PTI. PTI RPS NSK
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