PANAJI
Locals of Shel Melauli in Sattari have threatened an agitation within 15 days if the State government does not withdraw cases against them in connection with clashes with police in the village on January 5 and 6.
The locals on Monday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to consider their demands and to direct authorities to withdraw cases against locals and to officially de-notify the proposed IIT project at Shel Melauli.
"Due to fierce and widespread opposition, the government announced the decision to scrap the IIT project at Shel Melauli, but the project has not been officially cancelled,” said a local activist while speaking to reporters outside the CM’s residence.
“The government should issue a notification to officially scrap the IIT project at Shel Melauli.
The activists said many criminal offences, including attempt to murder and rioting, have been registered against the activists, who had protested against the project.
“There are around 40 such cases and the government should revoke the FIR against these locals. We will wait for 15 days for a written consideration from the government, else we will launch another agitation,” warned the activist.
The Shel-Melauli locals also criticised the local MLA and health minister for failing to resolve their issue.
“When we agitated against the project, he merely announced that the IIT project would be cancelled, but the CM has not officially cancelled the project,” a local added.
The Shel Melauli area in Sattari became prominent after locals had launched a massive agitation against the proposed IIT and successfully compelled the State government to scrap the controversial project in the village.
