Agartala: At least 14 people, including policemen, got hurt in two separate violence due to delay in payment of MGNREGS wages to the beneficiaries at Unokoti and Dhalai districts of North Tripura on Wednesday.
The violent beneficiaries resorted to attack on Pacharthal rural development block in afternoon, alleging that the BDO is disbursing outstanding payment of NREGS wages to the selective beneficiaries.
District Magistrate of Unokoti M K Nath informed that seven people, including a civilian, were injured seriously in the attack.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prasenjit Ghosh, Officer In-charge of Pacharthal police station Saugata Chakma and three other policemen were injured in the attack. A women was injured, when police fired in air to disperse the mob.
Injuries of three persons, including Ghosh is critical and shifted to district hospital at evening, Nath said.
He, however, pointed out that additional forces have been deployed to ease tension in the area.
The district administration has also taken measure to maintain peace in the district and asked employees as well as banks to be remained open on Tuesday for speedy disbursement of payment.
Ministry of Rural Development has changed the fund disbursement system that directly credited to the beneficiaries account, instead of earlier methods. “But, the banks have faced the challenge in changing the system, which caused delay, despite having fund, Mr Nath stated.
Unokoti district has about Rs 10 crore outstanding NREGS wages to disburse and Pacharthal also has Rs 1.5 crore. The payment is made on serial basis from March 15 and there is no chance to make pick and choose system in payment, Mr Nath added.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate of Dhalai district Dr Milind Ramteke said the payment got delayed in Longtarai Valley and Gandacherra sub-divisions because of problem in the banks.The angry beneficiaries today demanded to close local market in Gandacherra, as they did not get payment. But businessmen opposed it, which had taken a violent turn.
At least seven civilians are injured in group clash in Gandacherra, Ramteke said. However, all the block offices and banks were asked to remain operational until outstanding wages are not cleared.
On Saturday, angry beneficiaries of Chowmanu block of Dhalai have beaten up BDO and three other officials for delaying in payment. Agitation for payment of outstanding dues was also reported in several places of South Tripura district.
CPI(M) Spokesperson Goutam Das accused opposition Congress and IPFT of instigating the innocent villagers to achieve narrow political interest.
On the other, Congress President Birajit Sinha alleged that administration has taken a partial role in paying the dues that resulted violence across the state. (UNI)
