Panaji Police, in an affidavit filed before the High Court, have defended the detention of protesters during the October 11 demonstration against the Election Commission of India at Azad Maidan, citing the group's alleged past violations of protest conditions and a previous incident involving placards supporting jailed activist Umar Khalid.

According to the affidavit, the protesters were denied entry into Azad Maidan based on an October 9 order issued by the North Goa District Magistrate. The police have also cited what they described as a history of violations of protest conditions by CJP demonstrators, most of whom they claimed were non-Goans.

Referring to a protest held on July 25, the police stated that a protester, Mohammed Zanskar Danish, a Delhi resident, was found carrying placards bearing the messages “Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Bhima Koregaon 16” and “Palestine Will Be Free”.

The affidavit states that the incident raised concerns about a possible law-and-order situation. Danish was subsequently arrested after allegedly failing to provide a reason for displaying the placards, according to the police.

The police further stated that protesters later gathered outside the Police Headquarters in Panaji, demanding Danish's release and raising slogans, including “Har Ghar Me Umar Khalid Janme Ga”.

Umar Khalid has been in judicial custody since September 2020 in connection with an alleged conspiracy linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

The police have urged the High Court to dismiss the petitions challenging the detention, contending that they are not maintainable. Public Prosecutor Adv. Pravin Faldessai appeared in connection with the matter.

The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on October 19.