The SC and ST Coordination Committee and other Dalit and tribal bodies here on Sunday demanded that the Government take immediate steps to arrest Patngarh MLA Saroj Kumar Meher for forcing Junior Engineer Jayakant Sabar to do sit-ups in public on June 5.
“The MLA’s action was not at all abrupt one. Rather, it is a well-planned conspiracy against an Adibasi officer. While an FIR has been lodged against the MLA, the MLA has admitted to have committed the crime and the district Collector’s inquiry report submitted to the
Government has found the allegation to be true; the Government’s silence has raised a question mark on its transparency,” lamented leaders of various organisations in a statement.
Committee State coordinator Laxman Mallick, Nilamadhab Adibasi Sangha president Laxmidhar Behera and Rashtriya Dalit Mahasabha president Ashok Kumar Mallick condemned the MLA action and lamented saying that some OBC supporters of the MLA are requesting not to execute the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in punishing the MLA.
They too demanded that action also be taken against the Executive Engineer who slapped the JE at the behest of the MLA in the public.