Jawhar tribals seek transfer of project officer

Scores of tribals from Jawhar in Thane district have demanded transfer of an official of Tribal Development Department for allegedly ill-treating an activist.
The tribals yesterday took out a morcha to the Jawhar sub-divisional office (SDO) and demanded that Project Officer, Sushil Khodwekar, also the SDO, Jawhar, be transferred, Jawhar taluka 'Adivasi Sangharsh Samiti' general secretary and local NCP leader Balwant Gavit said.
Gavit alleged that the officer had abused tribal activist and former sarpanch of Sakur village, Sampat Pawar, on July 4 when the latter sought assistance regarding Ashram schools in Zap and Sakur villages.
However, the officer had apologised later in presence of additional district collector and DySP, Gavit said.

He said that the activists will intensify their stir unless Khodwekar is transferred.
Khodwekar could not be reached for comments on the issue.