A few days following the cable-cutting incident in Panjim, which resulted in an internet outage, Electricity Department Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye found himself at the center of a new controversy on Friday. This arose from a verbal dispute with Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar regarding the closure of two traditional pathways in Bogda that have been utilized for over 50 years.
The intense exchange between the two occurred in the presence of local residents, with Amonkar advocating for the reopening of the pathways, while Shetye maintained his position on their closure. As the nodal officer responsible for land acquisition and property management, Shetye had visited Bogda to assess the quarters owned by the Electricity Department.
Sankalp Amonkar strongly criticized Executive Engineer of Electricity Department Kashinath Shetye, calling him an "activist working against the Government," rather than an officer. He challenged Shetye to file an FIR against him, not innocent residents. Amonkar emphasized his commitment to preventing the closure of traditional pathways that have existed for over 50 years, asserting that he would never allow such an action.
On Saturday, Kashinath Shetye filed a police complaint against Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, accusing him of threat, intimidation, and defamation. Shetye claimed he was obstructed from carrying out government duties and vowed to continue the work with police protection in the coming days. The complaint includes cases under Sections 221, 329, 126, 192, 324(5), and 61 of BNS.