A technical coordinator for MNREGA scheme paid a heavy price for refusing to clear ‘inflated’ bills. He was allegedly attacked by contractors who tried to chop off his right hand with a sickle.
53-year-old HR Srinivas from Tumkur district of Karnataka was treated at a hospital in Basaveshwaranagar. Luckily, the injury was not that severe. Police said an FIR has been registered and they are on the lookout for the culprits while state Minister Raj H K Patil promised strict action against the attackers.
The incident happened near Thalakere on Monday night when Mr. Srinivas was returning towards Magadi.
Mr. Srinivas alleged that he had an argument with two contractors at his office in the afternoon for not clearing inflated bills they had prepared and warned him of dire consequences. He works for an organization that implements job schemes in Tumkur district. His work is to give technical sanctions to works undertaken and to check measurements.
The perpetrators came on a bike and attacked his head, then they tried to chop off his hand. He tried to escape and fled to a nearby shop where the people rescued him.
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H K Patil also visited Srinivas at his residence and inquired about his health and the incident. This is not the first time that an officer attached to MGNREGS has been attacked or threatened in Karnataka. Some time ago, Arun Kumar G, a 29-year-old engineering graduate and panchayat development officer in Mysuru district, committed suicide. In a five-page suicide note, he said he was mentally tortured for being honest.
