Merces panchayat takes on goondas, seeks public help

the goan I network
OLD GOA
Expressing concern over anti-social elements creating terror in Merces, the panchayat authorities appealed to the public to extend support to end goondaraj in the village.  
The appeal was made at a public meeting held at Baman Bhat-Merces, on Saturday night, wherein panchas of the ruling panel urged the people not to be cowed down by anti-social elements and to help reign in these elements by lodging complaints with the police.  
The meeting was held against the backdrop of a recent incident wherein a gang of five, armed with gun and choppers, threatened panch Prakash Naik with dire consequences and later one of them fired two shots in the air at a group of men who were playing cards.  
“Don’t be afraid of these anti-social elements. If they threaten you, file a complaint with the police. I will extend all help to see to it that the goondagiri of such elements is reigned in,” promised panch Naik while addressing a large gathering. Naik also alleged that threats were issued to him at the behest of a local politician who is jealous of his rising popularity in St Cruz.  
Deputy sarpanch Armstrong Braganza also assured that if the people are with the panchayat authorities, then there will be no chance of goondagiri raising its ugly head in the village again. “Support us and we will ensure that anti-socials are kept in check,” he added.  
Former sarpanch Yatin Palyekar stated that if panch Naik is threatened today, then there is every possibility of anti-social elements targeting others as well in the future.
“Hence, it is important that these elements are barred from the village. We will be submitting a petition to the Old Goa PI to bar such elements from entering the village,” Palyekar informed and urged everybody to sign the same so that peace is maintained.  
Sarpanch Sunita Palyekar, former sarpanch Assis Fernandes and others were present on the occasion.