PANJIM: Old Goa police have launched an extensive search for six persons on charges of assaulting a resident of Chimbel on Tuesday night. The names of the accused have, however, not been disclosed to the media.
Old Goa PI Sudesh Velip said the accused have been charged under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) read with 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) of the Indian Penal Code. “We have launched a manhunt to search for the accused,” he said.
The case pertains to the attack on Praveen Chopdekar, who has been opposing the proposed IT Park in the village. In his complaint, Chopdekar said he has been grievously injured after being thrashed by goons in Chimbel.
Chopdekar had made allegations of the project being pushed despite opposition from the locals. At various gram sabhas, Chimbel villagers have demanded a white paper on the project.
In the last six months, villagers have observed many species of trees and medicinal plants being cut and burnt in the property adjacent to the IT Park site.
