Parrikar seeks judicial probe into last week's violence

Panaji, Mar 6 (UNI) Demanding resignation of Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane for ''utter failure of the administration'' in handling the last week's communal violence in South Goa, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar today sought judicial inquiry into the episode to find out the truth.

''I do not mind any judge, sitting or retired, holding the judicial probe that should cover demolition of illegal structure at Goddimol and subsequent incidents of violence by armed people from outside following the denial of a permission to a group from the minority community,'' Mr Parrikar said.

''It was unfortunate that Mr Rane during his visit to the Curchorem behaved like Nero when the town was burning, as he allegedly tried to stir up the already charged mob by openly telling them that some outside elements were among the processionists,'' he alleged, adding that Mr Rane should own the total responsibility for his administration's failure to protect the minority people and their property. ''He should have convened a meeting of both the communities to sort out the issue before it could burst into a conflagration,'' Mr Parrikar said.

The people, he said, were also not aware of the prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC imposed without prior announcement, even as the police remained mute spectators as the mob went on rampage.

The former chief minister demanded that the role of the district and police officials and also the ministers should be thoroughly probed.

He also demanded that stern action should be taken against the vandals responsible for destruction of property.

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