Team Herald
VASCO: After the shocking communal incident on the occasion of Ram Navmi in Vasco, the Vasco police immediately moved to prevent future communal disturbances by calling for a meeting with Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders of the port town to discuss means to maintain peace. Around 35 to 40 people attended the meeting. All the issues were discussed threadbare and police sought cooperation of the people, which the community leaders willingly offered to the police.
DySP Nilesh Rane said, “Last two years we were fighting the battle against Coronavirus, now at least we should live peacefully. During the meeting all communities have assured their cooperation. Vasco is like a mini cosmo with people from different religions and States, so this was an effort from the police—I as the DySP and Police Inspector Kapil Naik—to take a step toward and make our best efforts to keep the peace.”
“We asked people not to believe in rumours and incase any untoward incident happens, they should intimate us, so that we take care of the situation and that it should not flare up,” said DySP Rane.
“What emerged from the inter-community dialogue was the need to have a peace committee, which is also called as mohalla committee in other parts of India. We will take this up on priority. Regarding the festivals, which are coming, we have advised the community leaders to keep us in the loop and take permissions and ensure that these festivals are celebrated peacefully,” DySP Rane told media.
Community leaders said they promised their cooperation to the police. “We were invited by DySP Rane to maintain communal harmony. People from all the communities were invited. The DySP explained to us in a nice manner. I was representing the St Andrew’s church,” said Ralph Trindade, a participant.
“This meeting was taken at the right time. From our side we suggested the formation of a peace committee, since the incident which happened in Vasco should not recur. Person from every area and religion will be included. DySP said he would consider the suggestion and form the peace committee within two to three months,” said Mohammed Yousuf,an elderly Muslim gentleman.
“The meeting went on well. DySP made us understand that whenever we organise any programme they should be organised well. We are grateful to the police for organising this meeting,” Anand Vengurlekar a Hindu gentleman told media.
