Rights activist approach 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 took mutton on October two after a sports tournament at a place in Simdega district.

As various political parties reacted to the Minister's act, demanding his removal from the Cabinet, the Chief Minister said lietracy 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.'' The complaint petition was filed by Ranjeet Roy, a human rights activist here.

Mr 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 Gandhi Jayanti day at Simdega.

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

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

UNI