DHARMANAGAR, July 28 (TIWN): In protest against non-receipt of wages, at least 200 labourers engaged under the centrally-sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) today gheraoed Kalacherra R.D. Block, Dharmanagar. To top it all, Kalacherra R.D. Block comprises of Nadiapur and Shanicherra Gaon Sabha, mostly Muslim populated regions.

Raising agitation for non-receipt of wages ahead of Eid, the labourers gheraoed the block. BDO Uttam Bhowmik remained present there at that time, but with the situation getting worse, he left the office.  After 4 pm, the BDO arrived again at office. While asking for payment, Uttam Bhowmik said that GRS Piyal Bhattacharya was given the responsibility of payment to the labours. But, he has been remaining absent since two days.

Hence, they would not be able to make payments. Later, failing to control the situation, BDO Bhowmik lodged an FIR against Piyal Bhattacharya at around 5 pm with Churaibari Police Station. Conducting a search operation, police detained Bhattacharya from Dharmanagar Mission Road and took him to the block office.

In view of the agitation, DM of North Sandip Kumar Rathod directed the BDO to make payments by today, but no payment was made yet. On the contrary, Piyal Bhattacharya joined Kadamtala R.D. Block 4 years back. He was allegedly involved in smuggling of rods and other goods from the said block.

Recently he joined Kalacherra R.D. Block and allegedly got involved in embezzling of government funds. He is the owner of 3 trucks. Acting on a tip-off raid, police personnel seized 20 quintal rods in front of his house at Shanicherra. Despite of the facts, the higher ups are not taking any action against the GRS as he is backed by BDO. However, the labours have not yet removed the blockade.