Cong sarpanches open front against Mansa administration

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 29

Following a controversy over distribution of sewing machines in Mansa last week, around 50 Congress sarpanches of Mansa district have come out in the open against Mansa DC Apneet Riyait and ADC (D) Gurmeet Singh Sidhu while urging the state government to transfer both these officials out of the district within a week.

They stated this today while holding a dharna at the district courts in Mansa, where they resorted to sloganeering against the district administration. However, at the same time, they raised slogans in support of the state government.

Accusing both officials of “resorting to bias” against them, the protesting sarpanches said it would not be possible for them to carry out development works in the villages under the guidance of these officials. They said they would not even hesitate to sit on fast-unto-death for seeking transfer of the DC and the ADC (D).

Addressing the sarpanches, Mansa district Congress chief Manoj Bala said, “I stand with the protesting sarpanches in their fight for justice and will take up the matter with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.”

Mansa Khurd Sarpanch Kuljit Singh Manshahia said it was unfortunate that they had to stage a dharna despite having the Congress government in the state. Apparently hinting at Mansa MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia, who switched loyalty from AAP to Congress, he alleged that those who joined the party a few months ago were trying to dominate the leaders who have stood by the party for years.

The protesting sarpanches also passed a resolution, asking the police to investigate into the ADC (D) Sidhu’s allegation that the sarpanches tore his clothes during their protest last week.

They said the police should register a case against them, if the allegations were true, but they should book the official, in case the charges were found false. On the other hand, employees of the panchayat department resorted to strike in support of the ADC (D) and demanded action against the sarpanches who held him hostage last week. Deputy Commissioner Riyait could not be contacted for her comment.

On Friday, scores of Congress sarpanches had held ADC (D) Sidhu hostage in his office after a controversy broke out regarding distribution of sewing machines to the needy. He was finally freed following the intervention of a SP-rank official.

The trouble started at the event for disbursal of sewing machines when the Congress sarpanches didn’t find the names of beneficiaries whose list they had handed over to the authorities concerned. They alleged that those associated with Mansa MLA Manshahia were given priority in disbursal of sewing machines.

Had held ADC (D) hostage

• On Friday, Congress sarpanches had held ADC (D) Gurmeet Singh Sidhu hostage in his office after a controversy broke out regarding distribution of sewing machines to the needy 
• The trouble started at the event for disbursal of sewing machines when the Cong sarpanches didn’t find the names of beneficiaries whose list they had handed over to the authorities 
• They alleged that those associated with Mansa MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia were given priority in disbursal of machines