From Daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, May 16 (Tuesday, 4-30 pm): The Goa government will appeal to the censor board either to censor controversial The Da Vinci Code movie or to ban its release, at least in Goa.

The state which has around 30 per cent Catholic population is yet to see any formal protest against the film, though Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filip Nery Ferrao has appealed to all the parishioners to refrain from watching the film.

*We have decided to write to the censor board and information and broadcasting ministry either to censor the film or to ban its release as it hurts religious sentiments of a particular community," Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane told mediapersons, while emerging from the state cabinet meetin on Tuesday afternoon.

The issue figured in the state cabinet when chief secretary tabled a letter written by Catholic association of Goa, with an annexure of the copy written by Archbishop to the parishioners. "The letter feared communal violence in the state, if the movie is released," the chief minister stated.

Admitting that the state government cannot ban the film in the state, Rane said that they would approach the concern authorities. "It should be banned from being released as it is hurting communal feelings.. there are Christians all over India," the chief minister stated.

The state government has ruled out any police protection to the theatres during screening of Da Vinci Code movie, which is scheduled to be released on May 19. "It's for theatre owners to decide whether to show movie or not Let them face it," Rane said.