Under pressure, Goa withdraws order imposing Section 144

The North Goa district administration withdrew its controversial order imposing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in North Goa for a period of sixty days because of the criticism from the opposition as well as tourism industry stakeholders.

Panaji: Amid criticism from the opposition as well as tourism industry stakeholders, the North Goa district administration late on Monday withdrew its controversial order imposing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in North Goa for a period of sixty days.

Last week while imposing Section 144, the North Goa District Magistrate had said that the order was being promulgated in view of a terror alert in western India.

"The order issued under Section 144 of the CrPC (last week) stands withdrawn with immediate effect," the circular issued late on Monday said.

The opposition and travel and tourism industry stakeholders had slammed the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led government for the indiscriminate use of Section 144, especially during the peak tourism season.

Sawant had maintained that it was a routine order and had urged tourists to visit Goa, insisting that there was no terror alert in the coastal state. (IANS)