Former IAS alleges extortion by Pathargadi movement supporters

Sundergarh: Former IAS officer Livines Kindo has levelled charges of extortion against supporters of ‘Pathargadi', a movement marked by installation of stone plaques by fringe tribal outfits against the traditional constitutional administration seeking self-rule in several parts of Sundergarh.

According to sources, Kindo lodged a complaint at Bargaon police station alleging that proponents of the self-rule agitation have asked him to pay Rs 20,000 for owning a diary farm in Jhantelbuda Village.

Members of the outfit had asked the former bureaucrat to pay the amount in a decision taken at a Gram Sabha, informed sources.

“In the notice I have been asked to pay 'chanda' extortion money and secondly I was also alleged of violating Section 19(5) of the constitution,” Kindo said.

“The PESA Gram Sabha has questioned the legitimacy of my farm saying that as per its section, I do not deserve to run a business in the village. But I am a firm believer that I have not done anything wrong and so will never pay extortion and secondly will not cede to their accusations,” he added.