Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Mar 16: A Sarpanch and some of his supporters manhandled Block Development Officer (BDO), Balakote in district Poonch today.
Reports said that incident took place when BDO, Abdul Rashid Khawaja was sitting in his office at around 10.30 AM today. Then Sarpanch Lower Dhar Galoon Master Shabir Ahmed Khan along with some of his supporters arrived there and demanded Rs 2.50 lakhs for the completion of Panchayat Ghar building at his village. The officer refused to pay the money, on the plea that Rs 17 lakh has already been released for the same and Rs 88,000 excess amount has been with drawn and the building is still incomplete for the last over five years.
Upon this there were heated exchanges between the BDO and the Sarpanch and then Sarpanch and his supporters allegedly manhandled the BDO. The staff rushed for his rescue. Then the agitated Sarpanch and his men locked them inside. They also allegedly pelted stones on the office, causing damage to window panes and a door.
The BDO office staff contacted SHO Gursai Police Station and also SDPO Mendhar. The police party rushed there and rescued the Block Development Officer.
SDPO, Shahid Nahim when contacted said that after receiving information he also reached there after some time. The police party from BG Police Post and Gursai Thana had already rescued BDO. He said that the situation was tense and many villagers had gathered there for protest. They also alleged mass scale bungling by the BDO’s staff. Mr Nahim said that BDO was asked to give written complaint to Police Station against Sarpanch and others and action under law will be taken against them.
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