Revenue officers continue strike
Tehsildars on indefinite protest
Raipur | Correspondent: More than 500 Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars across Chhattisgarh have gone on an indefinite strike, demanding action in the alleged assault case involving a Naib Tehsildar in Sarguja district.
The protesting officers have been camping in Raipur since Wednesday. The strike has also received support from the Patwari Association, Revenue Inspector Association and Hostel Superintendent Association, affecting administrative work in several tehsils across the state.
The dispute involves Rajapur Naib Tehsildar Tushar Manik and Sitapur BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo. The MLA has accused the officer of misbehaving with his cousin, while Manik has alleged that he was assaulted by the MLA and his supporters.
Cases have been registered by both sides. Manik has demanded a narco test for both himself and the MLA to establish the facts. Toppo has said he is willing to cooperate with the investigation.
State Junior Administrative Association president Krishna Kumar Lahre said discussions with government officials, including the revenue secretary and minister, remained inconclusive. He said the strike would continue until action is taken against those accused in the assault case.
The ongoing strike has affected public services. Land demarcation work has been halted in many tehsils, while hearings in revenue courts are being postponed.
The Congress has also targeted the government over the issue. Congress MLA Devendra Yadav claimed that thousands of applications related to caste, income, domicile and EWS certificates are piling up daily due to the strike.
