Xeldem panchayat member booked for assaulting villager

QUEPEM

: The Xeldem gram sabha witnessed heated arguments over various issues between the sarpanch,

panchayat

members and the locals, but the debate took a violent turn as a woman ward member allegedly slapped a villager outside the hall on Sunday.

Panch from ward No. 5, Lourecinha Carvalho allegedly slapped Agnelo Fernandes in the alleyway of the panchayat hall after the meeting ended.

Fernandes lodged a complaint with Quepem police. The

police

registered a non-cognizable offence against Carvalho under Section 323 IPC.

Heated arguments were also witnessed between locals from Tanki area and officials of a mobile phone company over approval for setting up of a tower.

The panchayat will revoke the NOC, the sarpanch assured. The panchayat has fixed a special meet on the issue.