The Goa government has given its two district collectors—of North Goa and South Goa—the authority to detain individuals under the National Security Act (NSA) if they are considered a threat to public order or state security. This power will remain in effect for the next three months. The move comes after the police requested stronger measures to handle repeat offenders and organised crime groups that have been causing disturbances in the state.
The official order, issued by Manthan Manoj Naik, under secretary (home), stated that the government had reviewed the current situation in both districts and found it necessary to extend NSA powers to the collectors. “Having regard to the circumstances prevailing in North Goa and South Goa districts, the Government of Goa is satisfied that it is necessary to do so,” the order said.
Under this authorisation, district collectors can now detain individuals if they believe a person’s actions are harmful to the security of the state or the maintenance of public order. Such detentions will be carried out under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980, which allows preventive detention to stop individuals from engaging in activities that could disturb peace and security.
This power has been granted for a limited period of three months from the date of the order. The decision essentially means that collectors can independently issue detention orders without waiting for further approval from the state government, provided they follow the legal framework laid out under the NSA.
The state government’s decision is seen as a preventive measure to maintain law and order amid concerns about rising incidents involving repeat offenders and organised criminal groups in Goa.
Alongside granting detention powers, the Goa government also set up an NSA advisory board. This board will review every detention order issued under the Act to ensure that the powers are not misused and that the detainees have a fair chance to appeal.
The newly constituted board will be headed by Justice U. V. Bakre, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, along with former district judges Sayonara Telles Laad and Vandana Tendulkar. According to the government’s announcement, the board must review each detention order within three weeks of its issuance and consider any appeals filed by detained persons during that time.
This setup ensures a system of checks and balances on the use of NSA powers. The advisory board will have the authority to recommend whether the detention should be continued or revoked based on the facts of each case.
The government’s order followed a request made by Goa Police in September 2025, in which Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar urged the home department to allow collectors to use NSA powers.
In his letter, the DGP stated that existing preventive arrest laws were not strong enough to deal with repeat offenders or gang members. He said that many of these individuals, even after being detained briefly, were released and continued their criminal activities.
“Since August 1, 2025, several offenders have been taken into custody under preventive arrest sections and produced before sub-divisional magistrates, but these measures have proved insufficient,” Kumar wrote. He added that such conditions made it necessary to give district magistrates the power to act under Section 3(2) of the NSA for a specific period, so they could prevent people from engaging in activities harmful to public peace.
The letter also cited increasing pressure from the public and political groups to take strict action following a recent high-profile assault case.
The request for enhanced powers came soon after the assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar on September 18 this year. The case sparked public outrage, with several citizens demanding stronger action against criminal gangs operating in Goa.
So far, eight suspects have been arrested in the case. Police said that seven of them were “history-sheeters”—a term used in India for repeat offenders with a record of previous crimes. The group is suspected to be part of a local gang involved in various illegal activities, including extortion and assault.
The police maintained that such incidents exposed the limitations of current legal tools, as preventive arrests were proving ineffective in controlling criminal elements who quickly obtained bail and returned to unlawful activities. The implementation of the NSA, they argued, would serve as a deterrent and allow authorities to keep high-risk individuals in detention for longer periods.
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The National Security Act (NSA) is a central law that allows governments to detain individuals preventively for up to 12 months without formal charges, if their actions are deemed a threat to national security or public order. The law is typically invoked in exceptional situations where authorities believe a person’s activities could disrupt peace or cause harm to the state.
In Goa’s case, the government clarified that this step was preventive and temporary, meant to strengthen the administration’s ability to maintain public order. The authorisation is set to expire after three months, unless the state government decides to extend it based on future circumstances.
Officials said the power would be used sparingly and responsibly, focusing only on individuals with proven records of repeated criminal conduct or involvement in activities that could lead to violence or unrest.
Civil rights activists, however, have often criticised the NSA for allowing detention without trial, warning that such powers must be exercised cautiously and with proper oversight. The formation of the advisory board is meant to ensure that detentions are not arbitrary and that detainees can seek timely review.
As of now, both the North Goa and South Goa collectors have been officially informed of their new powers. The government has also directed the home department and police authorities to coordinate closely to ensure all detentions under the Act follow proper legal procedures.
The decision marks a significant step in Goa’s approach to tackling organised crime and maintaining law and order, reflecting a shift toward tougher preventive measures amid concerns about recurring offences in the state.
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