Bhadrak: In yet another instance of attack on government officials deployed on Covid-19 duty, a tehsildar faced the ire of general public during a crackdown on Covid norms violators in Basudevpur area in the district on Wednesday.
The local tehsildar, Somyashree Panigrahi had gone on an inspection of a market at Kumarpur panchayat during enforcement duty on Wednesday evening. A garment shop was found open in the market even as the lockdown guidelines bar opening of any non-essential outlets during the curfew period.
As per reports, the official immediately swung into action and raided the shop. Later, he sealed the establishment with the help of police for allegedly flouting Covid guidelines.
During the time of raid, some miscreants allegedly attacked him from behind by pelting stones and fled the spot. Although Panigrahi managed to escape unhurt, his official vehicle was damaged in stone pelting.
Panigrahi said some violators have taken law into their hands in staging the attack.
“Enforcement officials are facing public ire as the administration has tightened the noose around the law breakers. Shops which are found open during lockdown are being sealed. Other violators are also being strictly dealt with. Those who are moving in public places without any valid reason are being fined. So, these types of administrative action irk some violators” he added.
The lockdown restriction is being enforced in the area strictly. People are requested to cooperate with the government to make the lockdown a success, he added.
Panigrahi has lodged a complaint with police in this connection following which the police registered a case and launched an investigation to nab the attackers.
Also Read
This is not the lone case in the State when a public servant was attacked during enforcement duty.
Earlier, a woman tehsilder was attacked by a group of people at Hinjili village in Balasore district while enforcing Covid-19 norms.
The tehsildar, Anamika Singh faced the attack for raiding an 11th day funeral event where a community feast was arranged for hundreds of people in violation of lockdown rules.
On May 7, Tehsildar of R Udaygiri in Gajapati district Smrutiranjan Satapathy along with some police personnel were attacked by a mob when they raided a wedding event in the locality on May 7.