Govt officers, employees protest assault on IAS officer in Nashik

All gazetted officers and government employees of the Zilla Parishad and revenue department came out on the road and staged a march, on Tuesday September 13, 2011, to protest the assault on Nashik Zilla Parishad CEO Ranjit Kumar.

Ranjit Kumar was assaulted by two members of the ZP, Hemant Godase and Balasaheb Wagh, both belonging to Maharashtra Navriman Sena on Friday, September 9, 2011.

The two people’s representatives along with villagers of Antapur village in Baglan taluka of Nashik district, forcibly entered the cabin of the CEO, who was in a meeting with the officials of the health department. They demanded why the CEO had not visited the members of Antapur village who were agitating in front of the ZP, to demand an enquiry in the alleged misappropriation of the water supply scheme.

A heated argument turned violent when the representatives poured kerosene mixed oil on Ranjit Kumar. The CEO even then tried to continue the discussion but it was in vain. DCP Sahebrao Patil, ACP Ganesh Shinde rushed to the ZP and were in time to avert any further tragedy. They found oil mixed with kerosene spread in the cabin and on the CEO as well as a match box lying on the floor.

Taking immediate action, the two representatives along with 14 other villagers were arrested immediately. They were booked under the section for ‘attempt to murder’.

The news of assault on an IAS officer spread across all government offices like fire and officers and employees including the collector P Vellarasu rushed to express solidarity.

Condemning the act, they gave slogans in unity of the government employees.

On Tuesday, nearly 10,000 officers, employees, ZP teachers, doctors, led by G D Kulthe, general secretary of Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers’ Federation (MSGOF), marched silently through the streets of Nashik to condemn the assault and demand protection to the government employees. CITU also extended support to the officers.

The march was attended by Municipal commissioner BD Sanap and other IAS and senior revenue officials. They submitted a memorandum to the district collector.

“An assault on an IAS officer is only condemnable. Officers do work as and when they are expected to but in return if they are assaulted what is the value of their work? Officers and employees need protection on duty. We also demand that action in terms of suspension by the revenue commissioner in such cases be implemented. A law to the effect exists but will need amendment”, stated Nayana Gunde, leader of Nashik branch of  (MSGOF).