The Goa government has authorised its two district collectors to exercise preventive detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) for a period of three months, officials have said.
Under Secretary (Home) Manthan Manoj Naik issued an order on Thursday giving the two district magistrates (collectors) the power to invoke NSA for three months, citing “prevailing circumstances” in the coastal state.
The collectors of North Goa and South Goa “may also exercise powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 3, of the said Act (NSA) within the local limits of their jurisdiction”, said the order.
This provision allows for the preventive detention of individuals deemed a threat to the security of the state, the maintenance of public order, or the maintenance of essential supplies and services.
The authorisation has come against the backdrop of the recent attack on social activist Rama Kankonkar by seven people, all of whom were habitual offenders. Concerns have also been raised over the rising gang fights in the state.
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