Update: Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007 - 8-20 pm
Trouble in Taleigao - Update - Dec 18
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent
Panaji: Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat seems to be heading for yet another difficulty with Congress and Taleigao legislator Atanasio alias Babush Monserratte coming face to face on Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat issue.
The incident on Tuesday that saw supporters of Monserratte chasing and beating up youth Congress workers reflects badly on the governance in the state headed by Kamat. What was most surprising is that the police were mute spectators when the youth Congress workers who were running for shelter were picked up and thrashed by Taleigao residents.
Monserratte, Taleigao’s political bigwig was instrumental in putting Kamat firm in the saddle after the BJP-led Goa Democratic alliance plot failed. Monserratte who was part of GDA had switched sides swearing by leadership of Sonia Gandhi.
At this moment, Monserratte is opposing the project whose foundation stone was laid by Sonia Gandhi.
Increasing political interference in the policing was witnessed on Tuesday’s event when mob in the presence of police attacked vehicles belonging to youth Congress workers.
This has irked the Congress party, which has demanded immediate arrest of Monserratte and corporation of city of Panaji mayor Tony Rodrigues, who were leading the mob.
Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, an ambitious project whose foundation stone was laid by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2005, is in the eye of a controversy as Monserratte feels that it is a huge land scam in the name of IT.
IT minister Dayanand Narvekar has firmly backed the project. He says the project has high employment potential.
Earier report:
Report & Pics by Rajtilak Naik
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (GA)
Panaji, Dec 18: Tension arose in Taleigao as supporters of local MLA Babush Monserrate went after the Youth Congress workers hitting them with stones, kicks, punches and abusing them. The Youth Congress workers had taken out a rally supporting the controversial IT Habitat Park coming up at Dona Paula, Taleigao for which the local MLA and his supporters are opposing.
The rally then started marching towards Babush Monserrate's residence. The Youth Congress Rally had not even reached half the way when supporters of the local MLA went running towards the rally with stones.