Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Panaji, Oct 19: The Hindu right wing organisations in the state have given call for `Goa bundh' tomorrow (Monday) protesting against the increasing desecration of idols in the state.
Gathered under the banner of Mandir Suraksha Samiti, the organisations have castigated the state government for failure to nab brains behind such acts, which have become rampant in this coastal state.
"We appeal the people to participate wholeheartedly in the bandh to make government realise the anger towards such incidents," the organisers had said earlier this week, during a press conference.
Goa government has taken the strike call serious and promulgated section 144 of CrPc prohibiting processions, demonstrations, bandh, strikes, road closures and forcible closure of shops and other establishments on October 20 between 6 a.m to 6 p.m.
"We appeal people to desist from participating in the bandh. Government will provide adequate security to all the shops and establishments, which would not respond to the bandh," Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat told a press conference on Saturday.
The state has witnessed around 500 desecrations of different places of religious significance in recent past. "These shrines are in the isolated places. There is a systematic effort to temper with the communal harmony of the state," Kamat had alleged.
The Chief Minister who convened high level meeting which was attended by Home Minister Ravi Naik on Saturday has declared award of Rs one lakh for the informant giving clue about the culprits.
The state police have also formed a team led by superintendent of police (crime branch) Mangaldas Desai, to probe these incidents.
The police are wary about the strike call as according to them it may adversely affect the communal harmony in the state. The report submitted to the district administration by police has said that bandh call may spark communal tension.
The south Goa district earlier has witnessed communal tension with the Sanvordem-Curchorem twin towns burning with communal hatred for almost three days in 2006.
The state government today released media advertisements through Goa's leading dailies appealing people `to maintain communal harmony.'
"Some disruptive elements in the state are bent upon disturbing peace and communal harmony in the state by resorting to violent and undemocratic actions like desecration of religious idols. The government of Goa is committed to protect all the places of religious worship and strong action will be initiated against the perpetrators and anti social elements," the advertisement reads.
Through the advertisement, Goa government has appealed the people of the state to thwart the evil designs of these subversive elements and to remain vigilant.
"People are requested not to support the illegal bandh called on October 20 by some groups and organizations. Such bandhs are unconstitutional and illegal as held by supreme court and government will take appropriate action against the organizers," it reads.