Team Herald
PANJIM: Several activists, politicians and residents of Chimbel came together on Sunday to oppose the proposed IT Park in the village as well as condemn the attack on anti-IT Park activist Praveen Chodankar.
AAP Convener Elvis Gomes, former St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, her son Rudolf, heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande, social activists Tara Kerkar and Rama Kankonkar were amongst a host of people and stakeholders who unanimously decided to continue the protest against the project.
“The government is imposing projects on the people without taking them into confidence. They cannot do this in a democratic society and we will oppose the attitude of the government,” Gomes said addressing a public meeting at Chimbel on Sunday evening.
He was supported by a huge section of attendees who sought to know the motive for setting up the IT Park in the village despite opposition from the public. “The villagers have been vehemently opposing the project and many gram sabha meetings have resolved to not allow the project in Chimbel. When the villagers do not want the project, why is the government pursuing it,” one of the activists asked.
Former local MLA Victoria Fernandes and her son Rudolf alleged that the project is meant to destroy the village. “We have to give justice to Chodankar who was assaulted for opposing the project. We all are against the IT Park for the betterment of our own village and its people. We have to continue our fight to save our village,” she said.
Prajal Sakhardande, also supporting the cause, alleged that the project will spoil the ancient sanctity of the Chimbel lake and the village.
On the other hand, the government has time and again clarified that the project is environmental friendly and its aim to provide jobs to the local youth.
Speaking to Herald on Saturday, IT Minister Rohan Khaunte had stated that those protesting the IT Park were exposing themselves. He also said that government would press ahead with the project for the betterment of the village which, he said, has remained under developed till date.
