Velim gram sabha descends into bedlam
MARGAO: The Velim gram sabha was adjourned midway after the meeting was plunged into unprecedented bedlam and uproar after a gram sabha member was assaulted and manhandled during the proceedings.
Sarpanch Melvyn Sanches later adjourned the meeting and reported the incident to the Cuncolim police.
The incident occurred when the meeting was discussing a proposal to acquire land at Zaino to house public utility projects. Heated arguments ensued between two groups, with the group opposing the proposal maintaining that the matter is sub judice.
The Sarpanch informed the gram sabha members that he would first hold a site inspection to get the factual position and place the report at the next gram sabha for a decision.
But, soon all hell broke loose and gram sabha member Clifton D’Souza came at the receiving end when chairs were hurled at him. He has been admitted at the Hospicio hospital after his medical examination. He claimed that one Savio D’Silva allegedly hit a chair on his shoulder and also assaulted him. Cuncolim PI Raju Raut Desai said the police are investigating the case.
There was commotion when some members forcibly snatched the camera from Rony Dias, who was filming the incident of assault. The camera was later returned back.
Gram sabha member Ramona Almeida cried foul over the violence at the meeting.
“The incident of assault on a gram sabha member is a mater of concern. We saw someone threatening a gram sabha member with dire consequences. This only shows they are trying to stifle our voices”, she added.
