M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, May 10: A phone caller identifying himself to be a member of the banned splinter group of naxals Tirtiay Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) has threatened a Zila Parishad member Vijay Ravidas with dire consequences if the latter Ravidas fails to meet TSPC’s demand for the levy.
Speaking to this correspondent today, Ravidas said, “On 5.5.2023 around 12.36 pm (afternoon)I got a phone call. The phone caller identified himself to be Birender of the TSPC.”
“The phone caller wanted a levy from him saying he was getting government developmental works done in his area and hence he was to pay the levy to him (TSPC member),” said Ravidas.
Ravidas said, “I retorted equally strongly saying I am not the one who will pay the levy. This is none of my business. I am doing work for the public and from where I will pay the levy.”
“It is a misconception that there is a big cushion of money to the governmental schemes. Whatever amount is there it is distributed among the members of the Labhuk Samiti. The legitimate share of the poor people can’t be given as levy,” Ravidas reiterated.
A written detail of this threat on the phone has been given by Ravidas to the Rehla police station on 7.5.2023.
SDPO Bishrampur Surjit Kumar said police have registered this written detail of Ravidas and the matter is under investigation.
The SDPO further said police are trying to verify the identity of the phone caller.
The officer in charge of the Bishrampur police station Nemdhari Rajak said, “We are actively looking into the case. We are trying to get more in-depth information about this threat phone call from Ravidas. We are sure to solve this episode.”
