NUAPADA: The Block Development Officer (BDO) of Boden, Bhagirathi Mallick was beaten up by villagers of Budhipadar protesting relocation and construction of a new gram panchayat building for Farsara on Monday.
The incident triggered tension in Boden block office which continues to be under the siege of angry villagers. The BDO has been admitted to Khariar CHC. Boden police registered a case against 10 persons but no arrests were made till the report was filed.
Farsara GP office was located in Budhipadar hamlet under the gram panchayat and was functioning from there since 1978. As the GP headquarters is Farsara, a Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra was constructed at Farsara last year leading to resentment among villagers of Budhipadar.
When news of sanction of `12 lakh for construction of a new GP building at Farsara reached them, the Budhipadar villagers joined hands against the decision. From November 7, they are staging a dharna in front of the GP office at Budhipadar protesting shifting of the office to Farsara. On December 17, the villagers learnt about the layout plan for the building.
Not willing to allow change of the GP office location, about 500 residents of Budhipadar called on the Boden BDO and a heated exchange of words ensued over the matter. Later, some villagers started beating the BDO till police rushed to the spot and rescued him.
The BDO was taken to Boden PHC where he was provided immediate medical attention and later, referred to Khariar CHC where his condition is stated to be stable.
Boden police station IIC Srikant Barik said, the accused will be arrested once the situation eases off. Police are keeping a tight vigil on the situation, he added.