TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The attack on the Deputy Sarpanch of Balli, Bamtu Velip evoked severe condemnation from Panchayat forums and elected members.
Vice-president of All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum and Rachol Sarpanch Joseph Vaz condemned the incident, saying that violence has no place at gram sabha meetings. “There may be difference of opinions, but one cannot resort to violence,” he asserted.
He said the gram sabha is a forum where people assemble to plan for the development of the village, adding, “this important forum should not be misused to settle personal scores.”
“Even if there are complaints of corruption, there are forums which ought to have been approached by the aggrieved. Certainly, no one has the right to resort to violence,” he said, while asking the government to act firmly against the assailants so that similar incidents are not repeated elsewhere.
Curtorim Deputy Sarpanch and a member of the Salcete Panchayat forum J Santano Rodrigues strongly condemned the assault on the Balli Deputy Sarpanch. “Attack on a senior member like Bamtu Velip is highly condemnable. The authorities should not allow such incidents to recur,” Santano demanded.
