Although police have started investigating the matter into the warnings received by the Block Development Officers (BDOs) by alleged Naxal outfits, it has created a sense of insecurity among the officers across the state especially posted in remote and distant blocks.
The officers have also demanded security for those posted in the vulnerable blocks and for those who have received such threats of being blown by explosives or being killed.
“Although, no such incident has occurred with me so far but after hearing 3 similar incidents in a row, it definitely has created a sense of diffidence among us. We are all panicked followed by the incident as we regularly need to visit remote and distant locations with a driver only.
If anything untoward occurs with us in the field there will be nobody to save us,” said a BDO posted in a Naxal infested district requesting anonymity.
The matter could be taken up by JHASA during the weekly meeting on Saturday and the issue could be discussed at large. Security must be provided to those who receive such threats from anybody, added the BDO.
Jharkhand Administrative Services Association (JHASA) was also of the view that the officers receiving such calls must be provided adequate security both at his house and in the field.
“It’s a matter of concern…we will sit together with all the district units very soon and discuss the matter. Where will we go if such threats are received by an officer living in remote areas with their families,” said Jharkhand Administrative Services Association (JASA) president Daniel Kandulna. Those officials receiving such threats must be provided house guards and adequate security be given to them when they go to out in the field, added Kandulna.
Taking a swift action, Police have also started investigations in an organised way by clubbing all the three incidents taking place at three different locations on different dates and time.
“We are looking into it case by case …it might be a co-incidence that 2-3 officers have been threatened at different locations at a same time. We are looking into each case on its own merit,” said IG (HR) and Jharkhand Police Spokesperson MS Bhatia. It might be Naxals, splinter groups or some criminal element trying to extort money in the name of Naxals, added Bhatia.
According to the IG, investigations have been initiated in each of the cases and the concerned SPs have been asked to look into it on priority basis. “As three different BDOs have been threatened in 3 different districts… We are acting in an organized way,” Bhatia said.
BDOs in three different locations Murhu in Khunti, Saria in Giridih and Mandar block in Ranchi have received threat calls of similar nature where they have been asked to leave the place after resigning from the post or face the heat.