The Goa government has authorized its two district collectors to exercise preventive detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) for a period of three months, effective November 5, 2025. This decision grants the district magistrates of North Goa and South Goa the authority to detain individuals preventively if they are considered a threat to the security of the state, public order, or the maintenance of essential supplies and services.
The order, issued by Under Secretary (Home) Manthan Manoj Naik, cites "prevailing circumstances" in the coastal state as the reason for invoking the NSA. The authorization empowers the collectors of both districts to exercise powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 3 of the NSA within their local jurisdictions. The notification will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The decision follows a proposal from the Goa Police, who stated that preventive arrests under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) were proving insufficient to neutralize repeat offenders and organized elements. According to police, since August 1, 2025, numerous offenders have been taken into custody under preventive arrest sections, but these measures have not been enough to curb activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. The police missive was sent a week after an activist, Rama Kankonkar, was allegedly assaulted by at least seven people.
The NSA allows authorities to detain individuals without formal charges or a regular trial process for up to 12 months. The primary significance of imposing the NSA is to empower the government to take proactive, preventive action against potential threats to national security or public order. The order is reviewed by the high court committee within 15 to 20 days, and if police did not present a watertight case before them, the detained person can be released within 20 days of the collector's order.
The move comes in response to concerns about public safety in the coastal state, particularly in light of recent violent incidents and a perceived increase in gang-related violence. The authorities can now detain individuals threatening state security or public order, reflecting increased vigilance after high-profile incidents.
