HT Bureau
DIPHU, March 7: Tensions erupted in Diphu on Saturday as social organisations and the opposition All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) protested against local businessman Pankaj Jain, who is accused of illegally locking the Media Officer’s room at the office of the Additional Chief Medical & Health Officer (Family Welfare) in Rongkhelan on March 2.
Protesting groups, including the Karbi Nationalist Youth Council (KNYC), Karbi National Organisation (KNO), Karbi Students & Youth Council (KSYC), and All India Karbi Students Union (AIKSU), gathered at Jain’s business, Nirmal Fancy Stores, accusing him of treating a government office as personal property. KNYC president Podmo Teron condemned Jain for interfering in government operations.
Related Posts:
Speaking at the protest, KNYC president Podmo Teron lambasted the businessman for interfering in government operations.
“Pankaj Jain is neither a government officer nor an employee of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). He has behaved like a ‘gunda’ and a mafia, showing complete disregard for the authority of the Council,” Teron alleged.
The groups demanded that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) cancel all of Jain’s contracts, revoke his trading licence and hold him accountable. APHLC representatives alleged that Jain sent his own men to lock the office and exercises undue influence over departmental affairs, including appointments and contract works, allegedly channelled through firms linked to him. As of Saturday evening, the reason for locking the room remains unclear and Jain could not be reached for comment.
