Jind village divided over suspension of sarpanch

Parvesh Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Jind, March 18

A day after Jind Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi suspended the hi-tech village Bibipur sarpanch, the rift between villagers has widened. One group of villagers met the Jind DC and demanded registration of an FIR against sarpanch Sunil Jaglan, while another group demanded the cancellation of suspension.

The sarpanch was suspended for installing a tubewell in the house of his friend with government funds. The tubewell had to be installed at a public place.

A group of villagers, including Om Parkash, Parkash, Ajit Singh, Nafe Singh and many others met the Jind DC and demanded registration of an FIR. They said the suspended sarpanch was accused of selling construction material meant for the village.

“The sarpanch should have been suspended way earlier as he has been involved in many wrongful acts. He had been favouring his near and dear ones ever since he was elected sarpanch. The administration should get detailed investigations conducted to detect all his frauds,” they demanded.

Bibipur village came in the limelight in July 2013, when its sarpanch organised country’s first women mahapanchayat for the empowerment of women of this backward area. Since then, the village has been in news for taking steps for women empowerment. He has been organising regular functions in the village to spread awareness on the importance of the girl child.

On the other hand, another group led by Ritu Jaglan, sister of the suspended sarpanch, protested in the city and demanded immediate revocation of suspension. They alleged the administration had done it under political pressure.

“We have met the Jind SDM and submitted our memorandum to scrap the suspension. We will wait for two days and if the decision is not rolled back, we will launch an agitation,” said Ritu after meeting SDM here in the evening.

The sarpanch has denied the allegations.

Jind Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi said the sarpanch had been suspended after an inquiry by the SDM found that he had installed a submersible pump in the house of his supporter with the panchayat fund.

“The investigation into the matter is on and the action would be taken on the basis of the report,” added the Deputy Commissioner.