PANJIM: The assault on Praveen Chopdekar, who has been opposing the IT Park at Chimbel and the subsequent remarks by IT Minister Rohan Khaunte alleging that the former has a criminal record, has snowballed into a major controversy.
While local group Chimbel Gramseva Kala Ani Sanskrutik Manch has scheduled a public meeting on Sunday to condemn the episode, Chopdekar on Saturday sought action against the minister for allegedly plotting the attack on him. Several individuals have supported him and sought to know local MLA Tony Fernandes’ stance on the proposed IT Park in the village.
“On one hand, Khaunte condemns the attack on Chopdekar and on the other hand he accuses the victim of holding a criminal record. He cannot suppress the voice of people because we know that IT Park will destroy our village and not even give employment to locals. The minister should stop making allegations against any individual,” social activist Arthuro D’Souza said addressing the media on Saturday.
Accompanied by the victim, D’Souza, referring to Khaunte’s statement that the local MLA has been taken into confidence for the project, demanded that Fernandes make his stand on the issue public. “If the local MLA has been taken into confidence for the project, we want to know from him (Fernandes) whether he has changed his stance mentioned in his election manifesto assuring the people of restoring the village,” D’Souza said.
Reacting to the IT Minister’s allegations that Chopdekar has cases like extortion and land grabbing registered against him, the latter clarified that the first case was dropped by the court and the property issue is a personal matter.
Earlier in the day, he approached Director General of Police Muktesh Chander demanding action against the minister and sought police protection fearing attack in the future.
Accusing Chopdekar and some ‘sudden activists’ of having criminal records, Khaunte had told the media on Thursday that he has called for a detailed report of police cases against Chopdekar. He had said, “I have asked (the police) for details of cases against him (Chopdekar). When I tried to find out who these people are, I realised most of them who are so-called social activists belong to ‘X’ goondas.”
