MAPUSA
In a new low for the elected representatives, first time Colvale panchayat member, Hanumant Halarnkar who is the brother of Fisheries Minister Nilkant Harlarnkar assaulted a local youth and used abusive language in a fit of rage.
A video of the incident has gone viral showing the panchayat member aggressively approaching Kalpesh Matkar, a youth of Colvale, who was recording a video of a migrant fruit vendor allegedly carrying out illegal business by the side of the national highway.
Incidentally, the youth is a member of Revolutionary Goans Party from Colvale village in Tivim constituency.
The video shows Hanumant Halarnkar muttering a swear word as he aggressively lunges towards the youth and later slaps him.
“Mhozo kadu naka, mhozo kadu naka photo… (don’t click my photos…(utters a swear word)),” Halarnkar says, even as the victim continued shooting the video.
Even as the panchayat member was walking away after the aggressive act, the victim did not give up and boldly sought answers from Halarnkar whether the panchayat had issued permission to the fruit vendor.
Before the arrival of the panchayat member, the local youth shot another video showing the migrant fruit vendor admitting that he was paying bribe to one “Hanumant Shet” to do business by the side of the highway.
When asked whether he was paying money to someone, the fruit vendor in the video says, “Hanumant shet ko deta hai…woh kuch idhar ka (panch) member hai (We are paying Hanumant Shet who is a (panch) member of this area).”
According to the local youth, several accidents have taken place on the highway at Colvale due to illegal activities carried out by the side of the highway and representations have been made to various authorities against such activities.
“We have been keeping a watch on illegal activities propping up along the highway. Several people met with accidents in this area. The intention is to save lives and to keep a tab on illegal activities mushrooming in the area,” Matkar said.
Slamming the unsavoury act of the panchayat member, the President of Revolutionary Goans Party, Manoj Parab said that the brazenness of the minister’s brother indicated that the BJP was running a “goonda raj” in the State and demanded action against the panchayat member.
“This panch member has acted like a goon. He is not fit to be a panchayat member and should be disqualified. He wants to create fear among the locals,” Parab said.
Based on the complaint of Matkar, Colvale Police has registered a non-cognizable offence against the panchayat member.
Attempts to contact panchayat member Hanumant Halarnkar remained unsuccessful as he refused to take phone calls. Messages sent through WhatsApp and SMS also remained unanswered till late evening.
