PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has stated that the series of crosses being desecrated by unknown persons was a “purposeful and planned act’ and it was a specific attempt to create tension in the state. Directions have been issued to the police to make use of Google mapping to monitor the areas, he said.
Addressing the media on Tuesday after holding a review meeting with the top police officials following vandalisation of temple statue and crosses by miscreants last night, Parrikar said, “There is no doubt that whoever is involved in the incidents is doing it purposely and in a planned manner.”
“For now, there appears to be specific attempt to try and create some sort of tension in the state, the reason for it is not known,” he said.
“As per my reading, I have a suspicion that someone is purposefully trying to create an issue, since there is no other issue happening,” he added replying to a question on whether he feels that there is some political motive behind it.
“It looks like from the modus operandi, the incidents were done by the same bunch of people,” he said.
Parrikar elaborated that after the first incident was reported in the wee hours of Sunday-Monday, directions were issued to police to tighten the vigil along the Chandor-Margao-Quepem area, and accordingly the police pickets were deployed at various places.
“The latest incident was reported at Chandor, where the police picket was there till 5.30 pm yesterday (Monday). At 6 pm, a regular devotee even offered flowers to the cross (which is vandalised). This means the incident happened after 6 pm,” he explained.
“Someone is keeping a close watch and doing it,” Parrikar said adding that such things will not be tolerated and the police have been asked to come down heavily on it. The culprit once found will face the music,” he added.
Chief Minister said directions were issued to the police to use all kinds of methodology and technology like Google Maps. “Have also asked the police to check if Google can provide us with 24×7 monitoring cum mapping since there is a provision for day and night movement can be traced,” he stated.
When asked whether Government will evoke National Security Act (NSA), Parrikar said once the culprit is caught, if required NSA can be evoked, but only if applicable and that he can’t predict it as applicable at this stage.
Chief Minister said that the police have increased the vigilance to its maximum intensity by deploying additional forces. “There is vigilance everywhere but one has to understand that police cannot be present all the time at all the places,” he said.
