Team Herald
PANJIM: The six-month-long agitation of Shel-Melauli villagers has seen success as Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday announced the scrapping of IIT-Goa at Guleli and shifting it to some other place, which will be announced soon.
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The decision came after a representation of elected representatives of Sattari and Usgao, which included Zilla Parishad members, panchayat members and prominent people, was handed over to the Chief Minister. The delegation that met the CM was led by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
“Keeping in mind the sentiments of the villagers of Shel Melauli and request made by Valpoi MLA, the IIT-Goa project will be cancelled at Guleli,” Sawant said.
Sawant addressing the people said that as of now a decision has only been made to shift the project out of Guleli and decision on a new site would be taken soon.
He, however, was critical of the manner of protest of the people in last few days. “The people have behaved very aggressively. Our policemen, who were only performing their duty were mercilessly attacked by the villagers. One lady got 21 stitches after being attacked with sharp weapons, there are many others with serious injuries,” he said.
He said that despite this, the government has taken a sympathetic view of people’s demands.
On withdrawal of cases against the locals, he said, that will be decided soon. “There is a request from the leaders for withdrawal of cases. The decision in this regard would be taken soon,” he added.
Earlier, Rane said that if people don’t want the IIT project the Chief Minister should take the prestigious project to some other location.
On Monday, the Chief Minister had said he was willing to discuss the issue with the protesting villagers even as he added that the demand for shifting the IIT campus to another location would not be considered.
Protesting villagers, who have set up a blockade at the entrance to the proposed site, have, for several months now, been refusing to allow government surveyors to demarcate the land to be handed over to the IIT.
They have also turned down the State government’s offer to exclude lands surrounding the village temple from the campus as well as concessions for those who claimed to use the land for agricultural purposes.
