PANJIM: Anti-IT Park activists on Saturday held a protest meeting at Azad Maidan to condemn the attack on activist Sandesh Kunkalekar, who has been in the forefront to oppose the proposed IT Park at Chimbel.
Kunkalekar was attacked by unknown miscreants with swords on Thursday while he was on an evening walk at Kadamba plateau. He is the second IT Park opponent to be targeted. On November 26, another villager Ravindra alias Pravin Chopdekar was assaulted by a gang of six for his remarks against the IT Park.
Claiming that the situation has gone out of control, the protestors have warned the government that more such incidents would not be tolerated.
“Dadagiri will not be tolerated. Enough is enough. We will gather all the activists across Goa and come out in large numbers against the government. We will also be forming a legal team to provide justice to us legally,” activist Rama Kankonkar said.
He said that there is no need to fear as all the activists needs to be united and fight the battle against government’s anti-people policies.
Activist Arturo D’Souza said there are clear indications of the involvement of the IT Minister behind the attack. “Chimbel Panchayat had in the past taken six resolutions opposing the IT Park. But nothing happened that time. The attacks are taking place ever since IT Minister publicly said that he would punish those opposing the project,” he said.
IT Park opponent from Chimbel, Govind Shirodkar, said the entire village is against the project, which the government wants to impose on them. He pointed out that till date the government has failed to provide a white paper on the project. “Our opposition to IT park will continue, may what happens to us,” he stated.
Former MLA Victoria Fernandes has appealed the people to keep the differences aside and stay united and fight. “Till my last breath, I am with the people,” she said.
