India’s tourist heaven, Goa, famous for its serene beaches and nightlife, is again in the headlines. But this time, due to the deteriorating law and order situation and rising gang violence in the state.
On Thursday, the Goa government authorised its two district magistrates to exercise preventive detention powers for three months.
Collectors to use NSA
Under the National Security Act (NSA), the DMs of North and South Goa have been empowered to detain people over suspension of ‘posing a risk’ to the ‘security of the state’.
The act allows the detention of individuals without formal charges or trial for up to 12 months, but that is a different debate.
Under Secretary (Home) Manthan Manoj Naik issued an order on Thursday giving the two district magistrates (collectors) the power to invoke NSA for three months, citing “prevailing circumstances” in the coastal state.
The collectors of North Goa and South Goa “may also exercise powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 3, of the said Act (NSA) within the local limits of their jurisdiction”, said the order.
In Goa, there has been widespread demand for the government to implement this controversial act.
The Goa Police had urged the government to enforce this stringent law, saying that the provision of preventive arrest under BNSS was proving to be “insufficient”.
Uptick in gang violence
There has been a spate of street violence in the state.
On October 26, seven people were arrested after two gangs clashed outside the Panaji police station. They attacked each other with knuckle dusters and other weapons over a minor issue.
On September 18, activist Rama Kankonkar was attacked in broad daylight by armed men.
Eight people were arrested, seven of whom are repeat offenders. They are believed to be members of a gang involved in criminal activities.
In August, 25 people were arrested after a gang fired shots at rival gang members.
While the NSA is designed to stop potential threats to public order and national security, the question is, will it be effective in controlling gang violence?
