Garhwa — The alleged attempt by sand smugglers to crush a Block Development Officer (BDO) with a tractor in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district has sparked political outrage, with the opposition launching a sharp attack on the state government.
Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, took to social media on Wednesday to lash out at the Hemant Soren-led government, accusing it of shielding the sand mafia and creating an environment where “honesty has become punishable by death.”
Marandi alleged, “BDO Shravan Kumar had gone to the Untari Road area of Garhwa district to investigate illegal sand mining when the mafia tried to crush him with a tractor. The BDO and his team narrowly escaped, but even after the police arrived, no action was taken against the accused.”
Raising questions over the government’s failure to ensure the safety of its officers, the BJP leader said, “When government officials themselves are not safe, how can the common people expect protection? Who will take responsibility for the safety of BDO Shravan Kumar? When the police side with the mafia and goons, who will deliver justice to the people?”
The incident occurred late on Monday night in Sidha village, under the Untari Road police station area.
According to officials, BDO Shravan Bhagat (Kumar) was conducting a late-night inspection with his team to curb illegal sand mining when he tried to stop an unregistered tractor.
Instead of stopping, the driver sped up and drove the tractor straight toward the officials. The BDO and his team managed to jump aside and escape, but the speeding tractor rammed into a nearby hut, injuring cattle tied there.
Police reached the spot soon after and brought the situation under control. The following morning, the BDO and the Station House Officer revisited the site for reinspection.
Police officials said that raids are being carried out to arrest the accused, and action is being taken against those involved.
With inputs from IANS