MARGAO, SEPT 22
Concerned Citizens for Peace have decided to call on the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat on Thursday morning requesting him to convene an all party meeting to ensure peace and communal harmony in Goa on September 24 – when the Allahabad High Court is expected to give its verdict on the Babri Masjid Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute at Ayodhya.
This was decided at a meeting of social activists held at the Grace Church hall on Wednesday evening.
At the meeting, the activists decided to appeal to Goans to ensure peace and communal amity by not celebrating or opposing the Allahabad High Court verdict.
Activist Mohandas Lolienkar told newsmen that a delegation of concerned citizens for peace will call on the Chief Minister and request him to immediately convene an all party meeting. “This will help in creating a right atmosphere in the State on the eve of the court verdict. We earnestly feel that the people should desist from celebrating or opposing the court verdict. The government should take note of the same and ban celebrations or opposition via processions”, Lolienkar said.
The Concerned Citizens for Peace has appealed to all the people residing in the State and belonging to any religion to maintain peace and calm, whichever way the verdict may go. They also appealed to the people not to fall prey to any rumours, as these have in the past, proved to be strong weapons to instigate one community against another and give rise not only to hatred but also to assaults, murders, rapes and other types of violence.
“People should be cautious against SMS or other forms of communication that may be used for spreading vicious propaganda aimed at disturbing the traditional communal harmony prevailing in the State”, the citizens said, adding “Goans, let us remain united and vigilant. Let us take recourse to the law enforcing agencies should any disturbances occur”, appealed Prajal Sakhardande, Jose Maria Miranda and Sayed Iftiyaz.
