‘CO Manatu Ko Maro Goli’ comment sparks concern, police probe it as prank
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, October 2: Manatu Circle Officer (CO) M.K. Suman, who also holds the additional charge of Manatu Block…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 2: Manatu Circle Officer (CO) M.K. Suman, who also holds the additional charge of Manatu Block Development Officer (BDO), has expressed concern over a threatening comment posted on social media, reading “CO ko maro goli” (shoot the CO).
The comment, which appeared in connection with a Facebook post, has drawn the attention of the local police. However, police and civil administration sources have described the incident as a possible prank, while an initial investigation has indicated a land dispute may be behind the controversy.
CO Files Written Complaint With Police
Speaking to this correspondent, Suman said he was shown the social media comment on Wednesday and became concerned over its possible implications.
“It has made me quite worried and perturbed. Manatu has a history of the slaughtering of a BDO, Bhavnath Jha, here in the nineties. I have reasons to be concerned about the content of the social media platforms,” he said.
Suman confirmed that he had submitted a written complaint to the local Manatu police station, urging them to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the comment.
However, he clarified that he did not seek registration of an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, saying he wanted the police to investigate the matter first.
Land Dispute at the Centre of Controversy
Asked whether the comment reflected growing discontent against him, Suman pointed to a disputed land case in Manatu.
According to him, a 16-17-acre plot at Dumri under Manatu Anchal is at the centre of a dispute involving two claimants.
“It is raiyyati land, not government land. It is khatiyani land. Online mutation in favour of the second party has triggered a sea of discontentment,” Suman said.
He added that a hearing involving both claimants was scheduled for Thursday. If either or both parties failed to appear, he said, the matter could be referred to a higher revenue official at the Palamu collectorate.
Sources said the Anchal office has come under scrutiny over the online mutation, although the circumstances leading to the mutation have not been established.
Police Trace Facebook Account
Lesliganj Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prashant Kumar said police were investigating the matter.
“A young boy, under twenty and wearing some person’s name Mamta’s ID, is believed to have run the text in the Facebook post which drew a threatening comment ‘CO ko maro goli’. Police have found the ID from which the content originated,” Kumar said.
The SDPO added that the police investigation had also found a land issue behind the controversy.
“It looks like a prank,” police and civil sources said.
Administration Awaits Investigation
Palamu Additional Collector Kundan Kumar said it was too early to draw any conclusion.
“It will be too premature to say anything on this. Police are on it already,” he said.
The police investigation is continuing to establish who posted the comment, the circumstances in which it was made and whether it was intended as a genuine threat or a prank.
