Over 200 people today staged a dharna on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway seeking immediate disciplinary action against a revenue officer, who allegedly slapped a student over the issue of Resident Backward Area Certificate.
The protesters, led-by NC MLA and Provincial President Devender Rana, raised slogans against the administration in Nagrota Assembly in Jammu and blocked the highway causing 'massive' traffic jam.
To protest against the unbecoming behaviour of Tehsildar of Nagrota, who slapped a young student over the issue of Resident Backward Area Certificate, the agitators staged dharna on the National Highway, demanding immediate disciplinary against the erring arrogant official, Rana said.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner rushed to the spot from Jammu to pacify the protesters and motivated them to lift dharna, but the agitators continued their protests, demanding strict action against the official.
We took up the issue with the administration, which immediately conveyed us the decision that a thorough and impartial inquiry will be conducted into the entire episode within two days, Rana said.
On the assurance of the administration, Rana pacified the agitators.
The provincial president said that the people of Nagrota have always given due regard to the officials of the government and shall continue to do so in future as well, but incidents like this vitiates the atmosphere and shake the faith of the people in the administration and the administrative officers.
"Physical assault by any government servant on any person is unpardonable in a civilised society, more so when the person in question is approaching a government servant for redressal of his grievance," he said.
Rana urged the state government to take cognisance of the the matter and initiate suitable action.
"Those who have to be the protectors of the rights of the people cannot be allowed to violate their dignity and self esteem," he said.
Later, the dharna was lifted. The agitators also played a video recording to the visiting officials, which reportedly shows account of abuses before the physical assault by the Tehsildar on the student.
