OdishaPlus Bureau
Patnagarh MLA forcibly made a JE to do sit-ups in front of public; FIR filed
A video has gone viral of Patnagarh MLA, forcibly making a Junior Engineer(JE), Mr. Jayakant Sabar, do sit-ups in the public alleging poor quality of road work near Belpada in Balangir district. This has resulted in a heated discussion among the local people including leaders from other political parties.
The incident in a glow
Newly elected Patnagarh BJD MLA Mr. Saroj kumar Meher, during a visit to the area came across some allegations regarding poor road construction by the local people. They also blamed the authorities for the same.
Following the allegations, the MLA asked the Junior Engineer of the Public Work Department (PWD) to perform hundred sit-ups in the mass public within five minutes for the tawdry road construction. Obeying the legislature’s order, Mr. Sabar initially did few sit-ups and asked the MLA to forgive him. The whole incident occurred in the public glare but no one interpose into the matter, despite enjoying the scene and making videos.
Discontentment among public
Later this video faced disfavour from groups of people along with many political parties, while several others criticized the dictatorship of the MLA in the matter. The JE refused to give any comments regarding the incident at first but then confessed the whole matter in front of media. It is reported that his wife filed a missing report of Mr. Sabar but the police brought him back to his home and notified that he was at a place between Katabanji and Khadiyal.
Replying to the public criticisms, the MLA tendered apology for making the government official do sit-ups. He added that he was helpless as the public wrath was out of his control and the JE might have got beaten-up by the locals, but they chose him to take the action.
FIR and future course of action
Despite the apology, the JE’s wife today lodged an FIR against Mr.Saroj Kumar Meher demanding his arrest. SDPO Suresh Naik has informed that the investigation is in process and he will surely be charged if the litigation goes against him. He added that the case has been registered under sections 341,363,294,323,353 and 355 of IPC and section 3 of SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) act.
While there has been no intervention by any of the BJD members in the matter, BJP leaders are criticising the hooliganism act of the newly elected MLA. The opposition party is exacting strict action against the act. It is interesting to note that the assembly has not met at all after the general elections but the legislators have started imposing and misusing their power.
Story by: Sanat Padhi
