Block Development Officer (BDO) Pulwama was allegedly thrashed by a contractor on Wednesday. The incident sparked protests by the employees across all 11 blocks of the district.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, BDO Pulwama, Abid Iqbal Malikalleged that the contractor Altaf Ahmad Bhat s/o Abdul Gani Bhat of Washbughwas repeatedly harassing him and his staff.
Malik alleged that on Wednesday the contractor entered hisoffice and manhandled him in front of his employees.
Narrating the incidents which took place at BDO officePulwama, Malik said: “On 3rd of July 2019 the contractor entered into ouroffice and manhandled our technical assistant. We requested police to lodge anFIR into the matter but nothing happened. On 31st of July 2019 he once againcame into our office and asked me to sign a document for the execution of awork under 14th FC. I refused and said that I cannot sign it without theapproval of competent authority and without following proper procedure.
“Following this, the contractor began shouting and abusingme. He even manhandled me by grabbing my collar and vandalized our office.”
The contractor as per BDO “warned” him of dire consequences.
Following the incident, block development office employeesThursday staged a protest demonstration against the alleged assault on BDO. Theprotesting employees carrying placards raised slogans against the accusedcontractor. The protesters urged the Governor to intervene in the matter andtake strong action against the culprit. They threatened that if the action isnot taken against the “culprit”, the employees in all the blocks ofdistrict will go on indefinite strike.
“We have lodged an FIR and initiated investigations into thematter,” said a police officer.