MCDF demands justice for Lobindra Chakma of Mizoram

PRESS RELEASE

BDO beats up villager for demanding NREGS wages

MCDF seeks Mizoram CM’s intervention to punish the BDO 

27 September 2011

New Delhi: Today the Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) in a petition submitted to the Mizoram Chief Minister Mr Lalthanhawla demanded stringent action against the Lungsen Block Development Officer (BDO), Mr John Tanpuia who tortured a villager Lobindra Chakma for demanding wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Lobindra Chakma mysteriously disappeared from the BDO’s custody on 23 September 2011.

The BDO, Mr John Tanpuia had asked Lobindra Chakma (44 years), s/o Chitra Kumar Chakma of Siphirtlang village in Lunglei district to saw teak logs, which the later refused on the grounds that he had no partners (it needs at least two persons to saw logs) and had no money to hire labourers. Angered by this, the BDO withheld Chakma’s wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Lobindra Chakma filed a complaint with the Lunglei Deputy Commissioner against the BDO for blocking his NREGS wages.

Enraged by the complaint, the BDO Mr John Tanpuia went to Siphirtlang village on 23 September 2011 and brutally beat up Lobindra Chakma, and his wife, Ms Milebo Chakma in full public view. Due to the severe assault, Lobindra Chakma vomited blood but the BDO continued to beat him. Later, Lobindra Chakma was huddled into the BDO’s vehicle and taken to his quarter at Lungsen. Since then, the whereabouts of Lobindra Chakma are unknown.

“It is a clear case of brutalities by a powerful official against a helpless villager. The misuse of authority by the BDO is palpable. Such brutalities are unacceptable in a civilized society. That the victim went missing from the BDO’s custody is a matter of great concern. The law of the land demands that the Lungsen Block Development Officer Mr John Tanpuia must be punished for his illegal and unconstitutional actions.” – stated MCDF president Hemanta Larma.

MCDF’s demands included registration of a case against Lungsen Block Development Officer Mr John Tanpuia and his immediate arrest, a high level investigation by a police officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police; suspension of the BDO till the completion of the investigation; find out the whereabouts of Mr Lobindra Chakma and reunite him with his family; and provide a compensation of Rs 10,00,000 (ten lakhs) to the victim’s family as interim compensation which should be recovered from the accused BDO. [Ends]




Read MCDF's petition to Mizoram Chief Minister, Lalthanhawla here: http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/mcdf-demands-justice-for-lobindra-chakma/