-
ALSO READ
After dissent from locals, Goa govt tweaks IIT campus plan to save temples
New city near Panaji to be developed on lines of Navi Mumbai: Goa CM
Amid drop in daily coronavirus tally, Goa CM Sawant advocates caution
Goa CM Pramod Sawant says he will be BJP's face for 2022 Assembly polls
Goa govt to lift ban on new jobs from January 2021: CM Pramod Sawant
-
The ruling BJP in Goa on Friday said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is ready to have a dialogue with villagers opposing the proposed IIT campus in Sattari taluka and accused the opposition Congress of misleading agitators.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa president Sadanand Shet Tanavade, however, said Sawant will not visit Shel- Melaulim village where locals are agitating against the proposed IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) project in the area.
The protest turned violent on Wednesday with the agitators hurling stones and police responding with lathicharge. At least 12 policemen and several villagers were injured.
The police on Thursday filed cases against several local Congress leaders and social activists in connection with the violence.
Talking to reporters, Tanavade accused opposition parties, including the Congress, and communists of misleading villagers and denying them opportunity of have an IIT in their locality.
"The Chief Minister is ready to have a dialogue with the villagers, but he will not visit the village. Let the villagers come and meet him and discuss the issue, he said.
Mob psychology would create unruly situation if the Chief Minister visits the village," the BJP leader said.
"I can even see some red flags in the village. Communists are also trying to encash on it (the agitation), Tanavade said.
The issue of IIT at Shel-Melaulim would be solved, the day NGOs and opposition parties stop interfering there, he said.
He said it was dream of former CM late Manohar Parrikar (who studied at IIT Bombay) to have a campus of the prestigious institute in the state and the current BJP government is fulfilling it.
Tanavade appealed to residents of Shel-Melaulim in North Goa district not to get misled by opposition parties.
Police have booked several villagers on attempt to murder charges after the violence.
The villagers are not ready to part with their land for the project.
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
