Jamshedpur: Jharkhand Engineering Services Association (JESA) has demanded a public apology from Potka MLA Sanjib Sardar over allegations that he abused, assaulted and confined two engineers of the Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP). The association warned of legal action and agitation if he failed to apologise by Thursday.JESA officials said executive engineer Shivram Gagrai and assistant engineer Vijay Tirkey of the Subarnarekha canal division, Chandil, visited Sardar’s residence on Oct 12 to discuss the Rs 87-crore Kharkai right underground pipeline canal project at Sundernagar in Potka.According to the engineers, Sardar became angry during a discussion on the foundation-laying ceremony and the absence of his photograph from the commemorative plaque. They alleged that he abused and assaulted them before confining them to a room for nearly an hour.The foundation stone had been laid by then governor Ramesh Bais and chief minister Hemant Soren on Dec 29, 2021.JESA state secretary Vipul Dubey said the association would initiate legal action and approach assembly speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato if Sardar did not apologise.JMM legislator Sardar denied the allegations, saying he had summoned the engineers over complaints of discrimination against villagers during boundary wall construction. He said he had reprimanded them for negligence but denied assaulting them.Meanwhile, Pudhihasa Sainik Colony residents approached East Singhbhum DC Rajiv Ranjan, alleging that officials and contractor representatives demanded money to leave a passage and threatened locals.
