Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Bihar government has adopted a tough stance over incidents of pressure and intimidation targeting striking Circle Officers (COs) and revenue officials. The Revenue and Land Reforms Department has made it clear that any union leader or office-bearer found threatening or obstructing officials who have resumed duty will face an FIR and legal action under relevant provisions.
In this regard, Principal Secretary C.K. Anil has written to all District Magistrates, directing them to register FIRs without delay in such cases. The government has termed such actions not only a violation of service rules but also a criminal offence.
According to complaints received by the department, some officials participating in the strike have allegedly been threatening their colleagues who are working, through WhatsApp calls. Additionally, they are said to be resorting to “naming and shaming” on social media to exert psychological pressure. The department has described this as a serious attempt to disrupt government functioning.
The Principal Secretary has instructed that cases be registered under Sections 132, 351, 352, 126, 127, 349, 350 and 195 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Action under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 has also been mandated.
Following the government’s strict measures, pressure appears to be mounting on striking officials. Departmental sources indicate that 24 officers have already returned to work. Earlier, non-striking officials had been assigned additional responsibilities to ensure continuity of administrative work.
The department has further directed all District Magistrates to act promptly in such matters and submit detailed reports of the action taken.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that any attempt to undermine law and order or administrative functioning in the state would not be tolerated. He described threats against officials who have resumed duty as not only cowardly but also a serious criminal act, adding that such elements would be identified and dealt with strictly under the BNS and the IT Act.
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