Riot-affected South Goa limping back to normalcy

Panaji, Mar 5 (UNI) The trouble-torn regions of South Goa are limping back to normalcy with two companies each of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) being deployed in the areas.

The state Government, meanwhile, announced compensation for the victims of the three-day violence.

The government was engaged in ''restoring confidence among the general public'' but Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane has ruled out the hand of ''outside forces'' in the incident. He, however, observed that miscreants were trying to disrupt peace and tranquility in the stste, known for its communal amity.

The government has also kept the Centre and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi informed about the situation on a regular basis besides opening a control room at the secretariat complex to coordinate information with all the concerned agencies.

Six cases of rioting have been registered following the demolition of an ''illegal structure'' used by the minority community for prayers after the Goddimol village panchayat order, which was challenged by the leaders of the minority community.

The government also convened an all-community leaders meet at the new secretariat complex where Chief Secretary J P Singh addressed them as part of the confidence building measures initiated by the government.

The authorities are keeping a close watch shifted areas where minorities are residing and some families from tension-ridden Curchorem and Sanvordem have been shifted to safer places as a precautionary measure.

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