Controversy in Goa over statue removal

Goa on Wednesday joined the several Indian States like Tripura, Bengal and Tamil Nadu vis a vis statues of icons.  The Shiv Sena in Goa has now demanded that a statue of the Maratha king Shivaji, which was removed by municipal authorities in Valpoi town last week, be re-installed.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, State Shiv Sena president Jitesh Naik said that whether the controversial statue was legal or not was not an important issue and that the matter was linked to the emotions of Shivaji fans, who had installed the statue some months back.

“In Valpoi municipal area in Hathwada chowk, there was a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, which was Valpoi municipality had removed in full police force two days ago. We condemn this. They should have discussed with everyone. Shiv Premis were willing to talk and after that, some action could have been taken," Kamat told reporter in Panaji.  The statue, which was installed illegally overnight by a group of Shivaji fans, who describe themselves as 'Shiv Premis' in Valpoi town's Hathwada area in a traffic island.

The overnight installation of the statue in an area, with a significant minority population had led to a communal flashpoint some months back.

On Thursday morning (last week) at around 5:30 am, officials of the Valpoi Municipal Council removed the statue, after which the North Goa district administration imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Valpoi is located more nearly 35 km north of Panaji.

Speaking to The Pioneer Cynthia Misquita, Chief Officer of the Valpoi Municipal Council said that the statue was removed because it was illegally installed.

"We took action according to law. The statue was removed because it was illegally installed," Misquita said.