Sarguja: The Revenue Department has ceased operations and launched a strike following an alleged physical altercation involving an MLA and a Naib Tehsildar. Consequently, the issuance of various essential certificates has come to a standstill. The Congress party has also taken up the cause, with party leaders visiting the Collectorate to submit a memorandum and going so far as to demand the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
**What is the Dispute?**
Ramkumar Toppo, the BJP MLA representing the Sitapur constituency in Sarguja district, stands accused of physically assaulting a Naib Tehsildar. Naib Tehsildar Tushar Manik alleges that a dispute regarding a signature on a document escalated, following which he received a phone call from the MLA’s Personal Assistant (PA) summoning him to the MLA’s residence. There, MLA Toppo and his supporters allegedly assaulted him. Since this incident, officials and employees of the Revenue Department have halted work, demanding the immediate arrest of the MLA and his associates.
**Toppo’s Sister Levels Allegations Against Naib Tehsildar**
Conversely, a separate case has been registered against Revenue Officer Tushar Manik—who is posted as the Naib Tehsildar in Rajapur—accusing him of allegedly misbehaving with MLA Toppo’s sister. The woman alleges that she visited the Rajapur Sub-Tehsil office on Wednesday to request the issuance of a certificate; however, she claims that Manik verbally abused her, made obscene gestures, and physically shoved her out of the office.
**How is the Public Being Affected?**
The general public is bearing the brunt of the situation as the Revenue Department’s operations have come to a complete halt. With school admissions for the new academic session currently underway, essential documents such as caste, domicile, and income certificates cannot be processed. Furthermore, matters related to agriculture and land records have also become stalled.
**Congress Demands Imposition of President’s Rule**
The issue has also sparked a heated political controversy. Led by former Minister Amarjeet Bhagat and District Congress President Bal Krishna Pathak, a delegation from the Congress party visited the Collector’s office. They submitted a memorandum to the Collector, demanding that the government immediately resolve this dispute and ensure that public services are resumed. “If the government is unable to handle the situation, then President’s Rule should be imposed in Surguja and across the entire state.
We demand that the Collector recommend the imposition of President’s Rule. As for the question of right and wrong, no political leader has the authority to take the law into their own hands and punish officials; officials must be allowed to discharge their duties in accordance with the law.” — Amarjeet Bhagat, Former Minister
**What does the administration say?**
Surguja Collector Ajit Vasant has confirmed receipt of the memorandum submitted by the Congress party and stated that it is being forwarded to the government. Regarding the striking employees, he clarified that the government has issued directives to the revenue staff to return to work immediately. If the employees fail to resume their duties, the government will initiate strict action against them in accordance with the rules.
