Revenue services hit across Chhattisgarh as tehsildars launch indefinite strike over alleged assault

RAIPUR: Revenue services across Chhattisgarh were severely disrupted on Monday as around 500 tehsildars and naib tehsildars began an indefinite pen-down strike, demanding action against a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and his supporters over the alleged assault of a revenue officer in Surguja district.All revenue-related work across Chhattisgarh had come to a standstill, causing hardship to the public, as tehsildars and naib tehsildars, considered the backbone of the state's revenue administration launched an indefinite pen-down strike from Monday. The protest follows the alleged assault and misbehaviour with a naib tehsildar by an MLA and his supporters in Surguja district on May 27.With 146 tehsils and sub-tehsils dependent on tehsildars and naib tehsildars for revenue administration, the statewide strike is likely to affect thousands of mutation cases, certificate applications, revenue court matters, land acquisition proceedings, and beneficiary verification processes every day, leading to a substantial backlog and inconvenience for citizens seeking government services, said Chhattisgarh Kanisth Prashasanik Seva Sangathan president Krishna Kumar Lahare."We have begun an indefinite strike from Monday demanding action against the accused, including MLA Ramkumar Toppo, who allegedly manhandled Naib Tehsildar Tushar Manik in Surguja on May 27. We had submitted a memorandum through the district collector to the state government seeking action against those involved in the incident, but we are yet to receive any assurance," Lahare said.Lahare said that while the strike may not result in any direct financial loss to the state government, the public will bear the brunt of the disruption. He reiterated the demand for strict action against those responsible for the incident.Police have registered cross cases following a dispute between the naib tehsildar and local BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo in Sitapur. Separate FIRs have been lodged against both parties. While a woman complainant filed a case against the revenue officer, the naib tehsildar has accused the legislator and his supporters of assault and obstruction of official duty.The incident has triggered a political controversy in the state, with the opposition Congress targeting the government's ongoing 'Sushasan Tihar' campaign and questioning whether such incidents reflect the principles of good governance being promoted by the state government.Meanwhile, in the wake of recent incidents involving alleged misbehaviour, verbal abuse and assault by public representatives and political party functionaries against government officials in Chhattisgarh, the Chhattisgarh Karmchari Adhikari Federation (CKAF) has issued a strong warning, stating that it would be compelled to launch a statewide agitation if such incidents are not curbed and strict action is not taken against those responsible.In a statement issued, the federation expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing trend of abusive behaviour, intimidation and physical assault against government servants by some elected representatives and political party functionaries in the state, citing recent incident of Sitapur MLA and his supporters allegedly beaten a naib tehsildar over trivial issue.The federation state convener, Kamal Verma, said government employees and officers serve as a vital bridge between the government and the public, discharging their duties with dedication, commitment and responsibility. Any inhuman or humiliating treatment meted out to them, it said, not only undermines the dignity of the employee-officer community but also weakens administrative functioning and democratic norms."Incidents involving violence, threats and abusive conduct against government servants are unacceptable in any civilised society. Such acts adversely affect the morale of employees and officers and hinder the concept of good governance," Verma stated.The organisation urged the state government and administration to ensure immediate and stringent legal action against those found guilty of such misconduct. It also demanded effective measures to safeguard the security, dignity and professional independence of government servants while performing their duties.Referring to recent episodes of alleged misconduct involving public representatives and officials, the federation said the incidents have generated widespread concern among employees and officers across the state.Issuing a clear warning, the federation said that if such incidents recur in the future and stringent action is not taken against the culprits, employees and officers would be left with no option but to launch a statewide agitation to protect their dignity and security.