Goan villagers oppose plans for IT park in Panaji

Villagers torched two vehicles and set ablaze machinery in Goa in protest over the proposed Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula, saying it was a ploy to shore up real estate value in the area.

Panaji (Goa), Dec 8 : Villagers torched two vehicles and set ablaze machinery in Goa in protest over the proposed Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula, saying it was a ploy to shore up real estate value in the area.

Geeta, a labourer, said: "We were threatened not to stay here even for ten minutes. Our work was stalled by some protesters."

In June, India ended a two-month freeze on the approval of large tax-free industrial enclaves that are being created to boost industrial and export growth.

There have been protests from farmers and landowners over plans to acquire land for these Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Approvals were frozen after thousands of farmers across the country stage protests over the government's compulsory acquisition of land without providing adequate compensation.

An economically booming India has approved proposals for over 200 Special Economic Zones.

ANI