Team Herald
VASCO: Katem Baina residents, whose houses are facing demolition, angrily confronted their ward Councillor Leo Rodrigues for failing to demand their rehabilitation at the special meeting of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), on Tuesday afternoon.
According to sources, over 60 Katem Baina residents (mostly women) had gathered outside the municipal hall to observe the proceedings of the meeting, on Tuesday.
At the end of the meeting, sources say, the residents went in and confronted Councillor Leo Rodrigues for not demanding their rehabilitation at the council meeting. Some residents even pointed fingers at Rodriguese due to which he became agitated and reacted sharply, sources add.
Councillors Murari Bandekar and Sandesh Mesta and some residents alleged that Rodriguese lifted a plastic water bottle to throw at the agitated Katem Baina residents. This, according them, turned the situation tense.
“People asked Councillor Leo Rodriguese on what ground he made a statement at the last council meeting that the State government has rehabilitated many people from Katem Baina. However, without giving a reply, Rodriguese lifted a water bottle and even attempted to throw the same on people including us which is wrong and such action needs to be condemned,” said Councillor Sandesh Mesta.
As the situation turned tense, several councillors as well as Chairperson Deepak Naik rushed back and with tactful mediation, brought the situation under control.
Meanwhile, reacting to the allegations that he lifted a water bottle to throw at those who confronted him, Rodriguese maintained that he never lifted any bottle and that people have been baselessly accusing him under the influence of political leaders.
