PANAJI — Town and country planning minister Vishwajit Rane stood firm Saturday against protesters from Palem-Siridao, vowing to bring 45,000 people from his Sattari constituency to Panaji if needed. The outburst came amid a standoff over Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act, which villagers oppose for enabling land conversions they say threaten their community.

Rane addressed a crowd in Sattari with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant present. He pledged full backing to the government. “I assure the chief minister that if required, I can bring my 45,000 people from Sattari to Panaji,” Rane said. “No need to retreat from development that serves the public.”

The minister lashed out at Palem-Siridao residents for what he called blackmail. Protesters, he charged, held government officers hostage at the TCP office. Rane dismissed demands to scrap land conversion approvals for nine projects. “They can camp there day and night,” he said. “The department won’t yield.”

Issues must be raised properly, Rane insisted. Government officers cannot be held ransom, according to the minister. Departments follow guidelines, he added, and the legislative assembly provides the proper venue for debate.

Rane accused opposition figures of pressure tactics. He urged MLA Viresh Borkar and activist RG of setting a better example. “People can’t take to the streets and dictate laws,” Rane declared after laying the foundation stone for a new bridge in Sanvordem, Sattari.

The government at the highest level has decided to uphold decorum in public offices, Rane said. He distanced himself from past disruptions. “I never behaved that way in a government office,” the minister stated. Lawmakers can seek information via legislative questions and discuss matters there. Misconduct sets a poor precedent, he warned.

Rane claimed ignorance of an incident involving Borkar at the TCP office. “I heard something occurred at the TCP department,” he said. “Viresh Borkar is my colleague. I’ll look into what happened to him.”

The minister drew parallels to other controversies. Public opposition rages against offshore casinos today, Rane noted. Yet Panaji would empty out without them, he predicted. He advised protesters to pair any charter of demands with proposed solutions when approaching the chief minister.

Tensions trace back to Palem-Siridao villagers’ blockade of the TCP office. They demand revocation of conversions for projects including residential and commercial developments. Rane’s defiance signals no immediate concessions from the BJP-led government. Sawant, who attended the Sattari event, offered no direct comment on the clash.

Opposition MLA Borkar, from St. Andre constituency encompassing Palem-Siridao, has championed the villagers’ cause. Reports indicate he was physically removed from the TCP office earlier. Borkar could not be reached for immediate response Saturday.

Sattari, a BJP stronghold represented by Rane, borders Panaji and holds sway in state politics. The minister’s threat of mass mobilization highlights deepening divides over Goa’s rapid development versus environmental and community concerns.