BASU demands action against BDO, Panchayat officials
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, September 22 2024: Blooming Athletics and Sports Union (BASU), Khangabok, has demanded immediate action against Block Development Officer (BDO) of Thoubal, panchayat secretary, and caretaker of Khangabok Part 1 Gram Panchayat (GP), accusing them of harassment and unjust treatment towards the club and its players.

BASU has set a deadline of October 4 for the authorities to act, failing which they plan to intensify their agitation.

During a press conference at BASU office on Sunday, general secretary M Madhusudhon criticised the newly appointed BDO Surma Thiyam, for issuing a letter asking BASU to vacate its office.

The secretary claimed that the letter was based on false information fed by panchayat secretary Th Kebisana, and Khangabok Part 1 GP caretaker Th Sobha.

He alleged that anti-social elements were behind this move, and described the BDO's actions as "baseless, inhumane, and lacking in social ethics".

He said BASU was established in 1982 and has been promoting sports and voluntary community work for over four decades, apart from initiatives to nurture local talent and producing many successful players.

Stating that BASU office and ground were handed over to it by local clubs, associations, panchayats, and the local populace, with the plot officially allotted by the revenue department, the secretary maintained that BASU obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Modern Youth Club, other local clubs, the panchayat pradhan, and the local MLA for the allotment of the plot.

In 2011, a BASU building was constructed with support of the local Pradhan along with an understanding to allow the panchayat utilise the building as a temporary office since there was no panchayat ghar in the area at that time.

BASU also allowed the panchayat to use its property and even undertook repairs for the panchayat office.

However, this collaboration has now turned into a source of conflict, according to the union.

Madhusudhon referred to a particular incident on August 30 that severely impacted the BASU team preparing for the final match of the State Junior Kho-Kho Championship at Pourabi, Imphal East.

As the players went to retrieve equipment, uniforms, and offer prayers before the match, as per the customary practice, they were shocked to find the lock on the BASU office replaced by the panchayat secretary, acting on the BDO's instructions.

BASU and the panchayat generally share access to the building, with each holding a key.

When BASU officials requested access, caretaker Sobha, refused, stating that they needed approval from the deputy commissioner (DC) first.

This denial of access deeply affected the players, who were unable to offer pre-match prayers or collect the equipment.

According to Madhusudhon, this caused significant mental trauma, resulting in the team's subpar performance and eventual loss in the final match.

Before the press conference, BASU members, players, their guardians, local leaders, and Meira Paibi members staged a sit-in protest in front of the BDO's office, demanding immediate action against those involved in the alleged harassment, he informed.

The protest resulted in the adoption of several resolutions, including demand for transfer of BDO Thoubal and panchayat secretary, along with the removal of caretaker from his position.

They called for an immediate cessation of harassment towards BASU and its players by denying access to the office and grounds.

Furthermore, they demanded that the BDO withdraw the eviction notice and tender apology to BASU members.

The union also urged authorities to relocate the panchayat office to another site and called upon the Thoubal DC and OC of Thoubal police station to act on an earlier complaint regarding vandalism at the BASU gallery and office, which had been ignored previously.

They also warned of intense protests if no action is taken by the authorities within the October 4 deadline.

Chipping in Khangabok Part 1 GP former ward member (2007-2012) Th Jamuna said the BASU building was constructed under the Bharat Nirman Rajeev Gandhi Sewa Kendra (BNRGSK) scheme through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

At the time of construction, there was no dedicated panchayat ghar, so the panchayat and BASU reached an understanding to temporarily house the panchayat office within the BASU building.

She clarified that while the panchayat may hold programmes in the building only once or twice and it does not pose any significant disruption to BASU.

She further clarified that the building was constructed as BASU office and not as panchayat ghar.

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