MARGAO
Tension rent the air at the gram sabha of communally sensitive Rumdamol as the meeting saw members coming to blows over the discussion on the contentious issue of a house where a trust is imparting tuition and counselling to the youth.
The issue threatened to snowball into a law and order situation after panch Vinayak Volvoikar warned to throw a pig into the house if the panchayat and the owner does not stop what he termed an illegal activity.
Volvoikar’s remark evoked an instant reaction from a section of the gram sabha, who questioned the panch whether he is bent on giving the issue a communal colour.
Taking strong offence to the remark, the gram sabha members pointed out that the panch has no right to take such a drastic step to throw a pig into the house.
Members came to blows and were seen jostling with each other as they came near the dais to question Volvoikar. Taking no chance, the Maina Curtorim police intervened and were seen separating the two groups.
The gram sabha could not transact any business as the contentious issue of the house being utilised to impart tuition took centre stage right at the time of confirmation of minutes of the previous meeting.
That the sensitive issue will come up for hearing became evident after some women were seen seated in the gram sabha hall before the meeting could start.
Panch Vinayak and a woman complainant demanded to know from the acting sarpanch Mustaka why no action is initiated against the residential houses imparting tuitions when locals had complained of traffic and parking inconveniences caused by the activity.
The acting sarpanch pointed out that the matter is now sub judice since the party has filed a plea before the Salcete BDO and the matter will soon come up for hearing.
Before calling off the meeting, the acting sarpanch pointed out that the panchayat will call for a meeting with the residents and the panchayat and inspect the place within a month before taking a decision.
Panch Volvoikar blamed the panchayat for not issuing a stop work notice to the party to stop the activity.
“This issue has been raised by the gram sabha members three months ago, but no stop work notice has gone from the panchayat to the party to date,” he said
Volvoikar clarified that he and the members are not against the activity of imparting tuition per se, but demanded it should be held away from the residential locality and charged the party for provoking the residents by refusing to stop the activity.
The person running the trust, Javed Sheikh said he is imparting tuition in English, Arabic and other classes at the house, saying even CCTV cameras have been installed at the locality to monitor traffic and parking.
