Goans need not worry about CAA, precautions taken: Sawant (lead)

Panaji, Dec 19 (IANS) The residents of Goa need not worry about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that has triggered widespread protests across the country, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.

"About the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed, all residents of Goa, be it Hindu, Muslims, Christians, no one need to worry. For this, what precautions need to be taken have been taken," Sawant told reporters after the Goa Liberation Day parade here on Thursday. Goa was liberated from the Portuguese colonial rule on December 19, 1961.

Earlier in his speech delivered as part of the Liberation Day ceremony, Sawant also urged all communities not to fall prey to "false publicity" by political opponents.

"My duty is to protect the interests of all the Goans be it Hindu, Christians or Muslims. I assure you on occasion of Liberation Day that no one will be troubled on account of it (CAA)," Sawant also said.

On Wednesday, thousands of people from civil society and opposition ranks had protested against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state capital.