http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=20597
Protestors attack Goa police station; calls demolition a sacrilege Panaji: An irate mob attacked north Goa's Curchorem police station demanding the release of people arrested who obstructed the demolition of a sacred place on Friday, following which the police today burst teargas shells and even resorted to lathicharge to control the mob. The mob indulging in a violent act pelted stones at the police station and screamed at the authorities demanding immediate release of the arrested. Around 180 people are in custody for violation of prohibitory orders. However, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime) Ujjwal Mishra told that the situation was brought under control after the irritants dispersed. The people taken into custody would be released later, he said. Goa Governor S C Jamir, Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane and opposition leader Manohar Parrikar of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) visited the affected area and appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony. To put things right, a contingent of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed in the vulnerable areas of Curchorem and Saverdem. Even police have been patrolling in the area. The trouble sparked on March 1, when a minority group obtaining stay from the Directorate of Panchayats against the orders of Guddamol village panchayat for demolition of the sacred structure, considered illegal. In rage the protesters indulged in stone pelting, clashed with police, damaged vehicles and shops, besides resorting to arson and plunder on Friday forcing the police to burst teargas shells and lathicharge, besides imposing prohibitory orders since Friday evening. Five vehicles were damaged while several establishments, including two petrol pumps, were ransacked by the rampaging mob on Friday, police said. The violence continued till late night when the group attacked the disputed structure again, police said. Later, additional police force was requisitioned and section 144 was clamped. "We have arrested a group of 100 people," Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ujwal Mishra said. He held special meeting with senior police officials here The unrelenting and diffident mob violating the prohibitory orders thronged in front of the police station today demanding release of the people arrested last night, refreshing the tension that police tried to suppress. Police kept a constant vigil to keep an eye on the protestors, amid false reports of some fundamentalists trying to incite communal violence in the otherwise -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
