In a petition faxed to Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, copy of which was e-mailed to some section of local media, the forum also demanded stringent action against Lunglei district s Lungsen Block Development Officer John Tanpui, who allegedly tortured Lobindra Chakma, which resulted in the latter s mysterious disappearance from the BDO s custody on September 23. It is a clear case of brutalities by a powerful official against a helpless villager.
The misuse of authority by the BDO is palpable. Such brutalities are unacceptable in a civilised society. That the victim went missing from the BDO s custody is a matter of great concern. The law of the land demands that Lungsen BDO John Tanpui must be punished for his illegal and unconstitutional actions, MCDF president Hemanta Larma said in the petition. MCDF s demands include registration of a case against the accused and his arrest, a high level investigation by a police officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police and suspension of the BDO till the completion of the investigation. It insisted that the Rs 10 lakh compensation be met by the accused. Even as the search for the missing person continued fruitless, Lunglei Additional Deputy Commissioner T Lalduhawma went to Lungsen today and conducted an inquiry, which he was expected to submit to the DC today itself. On September 23, the Lungsen BDO allegedly beat up the villager in full public view in the victim s village of Sihphir Tlang and later in his office in Lungsen, about seven kilometres from the village, after transporting him in his vehicle. Sources said the official had asked lobindra to saw teak logs in his (BDO) private teak plantation which the villager refused on grounds that he had no partners and did not have money to employ labourers. Angered by this, Tanpui BDO withheld the man s wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. His anger allegedly exploded when Lobindra filed a complaint with the Lunglei DC and the latter scolded the BDO.