Sarpanches protest, seek action against Reasi DC

Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 12

Sarpanches and panches on Tuesday held a demonstration against the alleged misbehaviour with a woman sarpanch by Reasi Deputy commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib and demanded her immediate transfer from the post.

The panchayat members, who assembled in the Bishnah area of Jammu district, alleged the DC must tender a public apology for her alleged misbehaviour with Shamima Akhter, sarpanch of Jodda panchayat in the Arnas block as she (DC) had allegedly tarnished the image of an elected panchayat member.

All Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) also criticised the DC’s action and urged the Governor for immediate action, as warranted under the law, against the officer who allegedly “abused” the sarpanch and her husband during a public meeting in the Arnas area on March 8.

“I want justice from the Governor and the state administration as the DC has tarnished my image by using unparliamentary language in public view. We were in a public forum to discuss the issues with the DC and her team, but she did not bother to listen to our grievances and hurled abuses. She threatened to cancel my election as the sarpanch which is undemocratic and against the rule book,” Shamima told reporters here.

A video of the public meeting, being chaired by the Reasi DC, went viral on the social media where the DC can be heard reprimanding the woman sarpanch and her husband after he starts speaking on the behalf of his wife. The DC objected to it, saying he has no right to speak on her behalf as his wife was elected by the people.

AJKPC state president Anil Sharma also urged the Governor to initiate action against the DC for her alleged misbehaviour. He said it would set a wrong precedence if such incidents went unnoticed.

When contacted, the Reasi DC said she had not initiated any action against the woman sarpanch and the larger aspect of the issue was to make the sarpanch realise her responsibility as the government had provided reservation to women in elections. “Why was her husband speaking on her behalf if she was elected by the people. I wanted just to make her realise this thing,” she said.

Officer refutes charge

Reasi DC Indu Kanwal Chib said she had not initiated any action against the woman sarpanch and the larger aspect of the issue was to make the sarpanch realise her responsibility as the government had provided reservation to women in elections