Mob disrupts Quepemkarancho Awaz meeting

QUEPEM: A mob disrupted a meeting convened by Quepemkarancho Awaz (QA) at Quepem muncipal square on Saturday to discuss the construction of a market complex in a private property near the muncipal square. The police intervened and dispersed the protestors, but not before they climbed up to the stage, broke a mike and pelted stones. Ajay Periera, a member of the organisation, sustained minor injuries in the incident, police said.
When the meeting commenced at 5 pm, the protestors demanded that land belonging to the poor should not be acquired for building the market complex. When the locals tried to attack QA members Jhony Cardoz and Periera and others, Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar, who was present at the meeting, urged the public to calm down. The protestors left the dais only DySP Rohidas Patre warned of stern action.
After the incident, Quepem councillor Raul Pereira said that Quepem civic council can again pass a resolution to scrap the land acquistion decision if the people are against it.
It may be recalled that in 2002 the Quepem municipal council (QMC) had passed a resolution to acquire the land near the municipal square. However, on February 26, the QMC reversed the decision. The QA is of the opinion that the decision not to acquire the land was taken to allow a builder to purchase the property.