27 May 2023  |   06:08am IST

Devotees refuse to hand over idol to Archaeology Dept

Team Herald

VASCO: Devotees have now refused to hand over the idol of Goddess Vijayadurga which was found in the basin of Zuari river at Sancoale. They have also demanded to withdraw the notice which ordered the handover of the idol to the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology. 

Currently the idol has been kept at the house of Dr  Kalidas Vaingankar after performing the rituals and the devotees have urged the Department to conduct their examinations at his house itself. 

The Mormugao deputy collector’s office on May 24 issued instructions to hand over the idol to the department of archaeology within 24 hours which agitated the locals. Due to the strong opposition from the locals, a strong police force had been deployed at the site to maintain law and order.