Panaji: Two senior police officials were transferred following protests by Muslim organisations in the state against a raid conducted at a madrassa.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Deu Banaulikar and Police Inspector Harish Madkaikar were transferred on New Year eve over allegations of harassment of girls at the madrassa.

Both officers had raided a madrassa in the port town of Vasco in mid-December as the terror threat loomed large over the state.

In all, 88 burkha-clad teenage girls studying at the madrassa were brought to the police station for verification.

"Prima facie, the officers were found guilty of unnecessarily bringing the girls from the madrassa to the police station. They were shifted from their duties and have been transferred to Goa Reserve Police," a senior police official stated.

The madrassa management had stated that they had furnished all verification details of the girls to police.

The management alleged harrassment of the girls by the officials.

Muslim organisations including the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaats had condemned the act stating that the minority community was being harassed by police.

The protest had garnered support from other social service organisations in the state.

An inquiry had been initiated into the raid by the police as several organisations had petitioned Chief Minister Digamber Kamat against the raid.

Police said a detailed inquiry into the matter has been ordered and further action would be decided once the report is availed.
Source : PTI