Local Official Accused of Assaulting Education Chief During School Committee Formation in Sarlahi

Sarlahi. An incident involving verbal abuse and an attempted physical assault against Kamala Basnet, the head of the local municipality's education branch in Kishanpur, Ward No. 1 of Chandranagar Rural Municipality, Sarlahi, has come to light.

A video has surfaced showing a team led by Ward Chairman Rameshwar Prasad Mahato engaging in misconduct against Basnet during a dispute that escalated while forming a school management committee. The meeting to form the management committee at Kisanpur Secondary School was called on Monday. However, a dispute arose after the committee was not formed according to the Ward Chairman's preference.

According to locals, Ward Chairman Mahato along with his associates 'Ram Sah Halwai, Bharat Gupta, Daroga Paswan, and Kishori Rai' verbally abused and attempted to physically assault the education branch chief. Local Sunil Mahato stated that after the incident, the employee was chased out of the village.

According to another local, Ramesh Yadav, the school management committee was formed unanimously, and Ram Pukar Mahato was selected according to that process. However, the Ward Chairman expressed dissatisfaction and refused to sign the decision.

Furthermore, Chairman Mahato is also accused of snatching and tearing the minute book related to the decision. Locals stated that such behavior from an elected representative is a mockery of democracy. They also raised the question, "How just is it to obstruct a decision made according to the rules based on personal interests?"

Stakeholders have demanded an impartial investigation and action against the guilty parties, stating that the incident raises serious questions about good governance, transparency, and employee security at the local level. Locals have also warned of intense protests if an investigation is not conducted.