Patna: Following the murder of Bimal Kumar, executive officer of Dehri-Dalmianagar Nagar Parishad, municipal executive officers (EOs) across Bihar went on an indefinite mass leave from Sunday, demanding a written assurance from the govt on their safety-related concerns.The officers said they would continue to boycott administrative and development work until the govt takes concrete steps on their demands.In a letter addressed to the principal secretary of the urban development and housing department, the Bihar Urban Services Association (BUSA) said the murder had created a sense of fear and insecurity among municipal executive officers across the state.“Ensuring the safety of officers is now the govt’s primary responsibility,” the association said in the letter.Bihar Nagar Sewa Sangh general secretary Arvind Kumar Singh said the mass leave would continue until a decision was taken on security arrangements. A copy of the letter has also been sent to chief minister Samrat Choudhary, chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit and DGP Vinay Kumar, he added.The association has placed several demands before the govt, including immediate arrest of all accused in the murder case, a fast-track trial, adequate compensation for the deceased officer’s family, a govt job for one family member, and permanent security arrangements for municipal executive officers, including security guards, bodyguards and safe accommodation.Anurag Kumar, executive officer of Amarpur Nagar Panchayat in Banka district, said the issue was not limited to one officer but concerned the safety of the entire administrative system. He demanded strict action against not only the main accused but also those allegedly involved in aiding the crime.BUSA has warned that the mass leave would continue until a positive decision is taken on the demands. The association also said that if people faced inconvenience due to the leave, the responsibility would lie with the state govt and administration.
