Margao: The Sunni Gulistan mosque at Fatorda was permitted to reopen on Tuesday after Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ganesh Barve issued a conditional order lifting its closure, 16 days after the murder of the mosque’s Vice-President on its premises.The mosque was sealed on Feb 2 following the murder of Ali Khanjadeh on Jan 30, after police described the killing as stemming from a dispute between rival groups over control of the mosque.The reopening followed a meeting convened by Barve with mosque committee representatives, police authorities, and other stakeholders. Representatives of the mosque committee gave written assurances of their commitment to maintaining peace and complying with all directions from the administration and police. Police officials reported no fresh incidents since the sealing and confirmed the law and order situation remained under control.The SDM cited the significance of Ramadan as a key factor in the decision. Under the order’s conditions, Fatorda police station must ensure adequate deployment during congregational and Friday prayers, and all CCTV cameras must remain operational, with recordings preserved for a minimum of 30 days.The order states the reopening is an interim measure and not a final adjudication of any dispute over the mosque’s management or control. The SDM’s office will conduct periodic reviews, and any violation of conditions will result in immediate re-sealing without notice.
