OLD GOA
Condemning IT Minister Rohan Khaunte’s threats to punish those opposing the IT Park project in Chimbel, the Chimbel Gram Seva ani Kala Sanskrutik Manch has called it an attempt to trample on the rights bestowed under the Constitution.
“By saying that those who are opposing IT project in Chimbel will be punished, it shows that he regards and believes himself to be higher than the Constitution of our country. The Constitution which allows us, the citizens of India, the freedom of speech and expression. He wants to punish us and suppress our voices so that he shouldn’t be exposed,” stated a press release issued by the Manch President Gurudas Shirodkar.
The Manch further went on to pooh-pooh the minister’s statement that “activism has become a profession”, implying that all the environment lovers and people who still have conscience left are just in it for political leverage, which has further added insult to injury.
The Manch has further cried foul that the biodiversity of Chimbel was now not only under attack for mass destruction, but the fundamental rights of the villagers of Chimbel were sought to be violated.
The Chimbel Gram Seva ani Kala Sanskrutik Manch has further reminded Khaunte that the villagers are not his subjects or slaves and neither does
he have any right to punish anyone.
The minister was also condemned for his refusal to come out with a white paper on IT Park project, a demand by the Chimbel villagers.
“This shows that the project is nothing but a scam to grab land under the garb of IT Park,” the Chimbel Gram Seva ani Kala Sanskrutik Manch opined, while sending out a stern warning that such type of dictatorship will not be tolerated by the people.
“It’s not he who will punish us, but we the people of Goa will punish him for his nefarious and unconstitutional sentiments towards social activists and especially, the tribal community of Chimbel,” warned the Manch.
Alleging that bouncers were hired in an attempt to silence the voice of the villagers during Sunday’s peaceful meet, the Manch said it only goes to show the nefarious designs in the name of Information Technology Park project.
