Assam: Clash at Birsing Jarua BDO Office amid allegations of proxy control in Gram Panchayat

Tension gripped the Birsing Jarua Development Block office in Dhubri district on February 25 after a violent scuffle between two groups disrupted official work and prompted police intervention. Government functioning came to a halt for several hours as chaos unfolded inside the premises.

According to local sources, the dispute is linked to allegations surrounding the functioning of the Mohrir Char Gram Panchayat. Although Rahima Khatun is the elected Panchayat President, residents have alleged that her husband, Kadam Ali, and son, Rafiqul Islam, have been informally handling official matters.

The confrontation reportedly erupted inside the BDO office when Rafiqul Islam, who is accused by some locals of interfering in panchayat and block-level affairs, faced objections from members of the public. Abu Samad Sheikh, representing one of the groups involved, alleged that despite repeated complaints to the Block Development Officer regarding what he described as unauthorised interference by family members, no corrective action had been taken.

The verbal altercation soon escalated into a physical scuffle, forcing staff to suspend work. A team from Dhubri Police reached the spot to disperse the crowd and restore order. Police personnel continued to maintain a presence at the office to prevent further escalation.

The Block Development Officer was not immediately available for comment regarding the allegations. No official statement has yet been issued on whether any formal inquiry will be initiated.

The incident has reignited debate over allegations of “proxy functioning” in certain rural local bodies, where family members of elected representatives are accused of exercising informal influence in administrative matters.