Bolangir: Demanding immediate arrest of Patnagarh MLA Saroj Meher for forcing a Public Works Department Junior Engineer (JE) to do sit-ups in public glare, Bolangir District Tribal Welfare Association on Sunday decided to launch stir from Monday.
The victim belonged to a tribal community.
The association decided to stage demonstration in front of all block offices in the district from Monday.
Association president Brajakishore Singhbhoi informed that the association will also gherao Patnagarh Sub-Collector’s office on June 21 and Odisha Assembly on June 26 to register their protest.
Decrying the police inaction, the tribal body also threatened to intensify the agitation if police fail to arrest BJD MLA Meher accused of forcing JE Jaykant Sabar to do sit-ups in public.
The first-time MLA had forced Sabar to do sit-ups in full public view on June 5 after blaming him for the low quality of an under-construction road at Gambhari village in Belpada block.
Video clips of the MLA’s act had gone viral on the social media and TV channels, drawing widespread condemnation.
Though Patnagarh police had registered a case on the basis of an FIR lodged by the victim JE’s wife, but nothing tangible has happened as yet.
The case has been registered under different sections of the IPC and SC, ST Atrocity Act.
Meanwhile, an administrative inquiry conducted by the Bolangir district administration has confirmed allegations against the MLA that he “manhandled” and “insulted” the JE.
