Rights activist approaches court seeking action against Minister

Ranchi, Oct 6 (UNI) With Chief Minister Madhu Koda refusing to take action against one of his Ministerial colleagues for allegedly eating mutton at a public function on Gandhi Jayanti, a human rights activist today filed a complaint against Rural Development Minister Enos Ekka before the Chief Judicial Magistrate here.

Mr Ekka had mutton on October 2 after a sports tournament in Simdega district.

As various political parties reacted to the Minister's act, demanding his removal from the Cabinet, the Chief Minister said literacy rate in Jharkhand was relatively low leading to inadequate knowledge about Mahatma Gandhi among the ''common man''. And hence his ''Minister also might fall prey to such ignorance''.

Activist Ranjeet Roy alleged that Mr Ekka along with three bureaucrats -- C P Bakhla (Deputy Development Commissioner) M P Lakra (Superintendent of Police) and Amber Lakra (SDPO) -- took mutton at a public meeting on the Gandhi Jayanti Day at Simdega.

He pleaded before the court that strict action be taken against the Minister as well as the erring officers for violating the government order.

The United Nations has declared the Gandhi Jayanti Day as the International day of non-violence. The Deputy Commissioner of all the districts had issued public notices to all liquor vendors and slaughter houses not to open their shops.

UNI