Phungyar SDO accused of assaulting headman
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, May 10 2021: Phungyar Village Authority (PVA) and public leaders have demanded immediate transfer of sub divisional officer (SDO) KG Daigong over alleged assault of Phungyar headman who was leading the local Covid Care Committee for a social work for setting up of a Covid Care Centre.

In a missive submitted to the chief secretary on Monday, Phungyar Village Authority pleaded that the SDO be immediately shunted out of Phungyar sub division in the larger interest of the local public and smooth functioning of the committee for establishing the CCC in the block.

On May 5, members of the PVA and some volunteers led by the headman/chairman of Covid Care Committee who had gathered for setting up of a Covid Care Centre to deal with the onslaught of Covid second wave, had a meeting with SDO Daigong at the latter's office.

According to the PVA members, in the midst of the meeting, without any provocation, the officer in an inebriated condition shouted and violently slung his pen at the headman's chest in full glare of the entire VA members and Phungyar police station OC.

Following the incident, some local youths gathered to protest against the officer's unwarranted action.

However, the village authority members intervened and brought the situation under control.

Instead, an avenue for compromise was sought in view of the prevailing pandemic situation.

Subsequently it was agreed upon that SDO Daigong would tender an apology to the entire PVA members and would comply with the penalty in the form of a pig which would be handed over to the PVA within three days from the date of the agreement as per Tangkhul Naga Customary law.

The copy of the resolution was delivered to him personally by the village authority on May 6 .

But there has been no response from Daigong till date even after expiry of the said period, PVA members said in the letter.

"Such conduct is very unbecoming of an officer who holds the position of a magistrate.

It is beneath the dignity of an MCS officer and warrants stringent action against him," they demanded, adding that due to the circumstances the VA has been compelled to issue the appeal to the higher authorities for immediate action against the officer.

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