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.