Action against Cansaulim VP secy demanded

Proceedings and minutes book found at residence of Thamankar

THE GOAN NETWORK

CORTALIM: Around 100 villagers from Cansaulim and Velsao, mainly from the fishing community, assembled at the Cansaulim panchayat to demand action against the Cansaulim Panchayat Secretary Pradeep Thamankar.

The villagers led by Goanchea Ramponkarancho Ekvot President Agnelo Rodrigues and Dr Marconi Correia criticised Thamankar for taking the panchayat proceedings and minutes books to his residence.

“We found these books at his residence when two of our panchas had gone to his house with an escort which was sanctioned by the BDO. He was found asleep on the bed and the books were on the floor,” Dr Correia said, adding that they had mobile phone clippings to corroborate their claim.

“The secretary had filed a police complaint of trespass against our two panchas, but it would not deter them since they had visited his residence with the permission of the BDO,” said Dr Correia.

Later, the villagers signed a memorandum to be given to local MLA Alina Saldanha demanding suspension of the secretary and probing into his acts during his tenure at Cansaulim and other panchayats, where a complaint has been filed against him, including a petition in the High Court.

Meanwhile, the villagers on Sunday filed a complaint with the Verna police regarding the missing documents of the panchayat and Dr Correia said no action had been taken by the police.

Admitting having received a complaint from the villagers, Verna PSI Anand Shirodkar said that the police had written to the Mormugao BDO to probe the matter.

“If this is an inter-departmental issue, it will not come under the ambit of the police. But if it is a cognizible offence, then police action will be warranted in this regard,” said Shirodkar, adding that they were waiting for the BDO's reply in this regard.