Holi festivities kick off in Jaitapur amid tension

Tension looms large on one of the two most important Konkan festivals - Holi. The 10-day Holi celebrations have already kicked off. Considering the atmosphere vilified by clashes between the police and the local villagers from projectaffected villages near Jaitapur, the government has called in additional forces to meet all contingencies.

At a hush high- level meeting at minister Narayan Rane's Kankavli residence on Thursday morning, the minister was briefed by the local collector Madhukar Gaikwad, Special IG Konkan range Parambir Singh, Ratnagiri SP Pradip Raskar, Sindhudurg SP Sunil Kolhe and others. " Holi is the most popular festival of Konkan apart from Ganeshotsav. Approximately 2 lakh people come back to their villages for celebrations. The government therefore is strategizing its plan of action," said a local activist.

Special IG of the Konkan Range, Parambir Singh informed, " One SRP company each has been called in for each of the 4 districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad and Thane (Rural). About 300 to 500 home guards would also be deputed per district apart from other forces." Speaking about the meeting at Rane's residence, Singh said, " We just apprised him of the situation. It is under control. I don't think the festival bandobast has any connection to the Jaitapur issue." Said Ratnagiri SP Pradip Raskar, " In some villages there are disputes between locally opposite parties on who will do the offerings to the deity. During such times the local tehsildar issues notices under section 144 and prohibits puja for both warring parties.

This time too we are planing to issue notices in 10 to 15 villages as a preventive measure under section 107 and 149." Holi celebrations have kick- started the festival season in Konkan. The Holi festival on 19th and subsequent Shiv jayanti celebrations on March 22, apart from the Angarkarki Chaturthi that falls on March 21, are all celebrated with great fervour. " Only this time the villagers are in no mood to celebrate due to constant arrests and atrocities by the local administration," the activist added.