Dumraon MLA Dawood Ali had to face public ire while attempting a publicity stunt at a ghat in Chhathiya Pokhra locality of the town on Thursday morning.
The MLA, who had ignored pleas to inspect the ghats for Chhath, was posing for pictures with a broom in hand at the ghat in front of reporters when some youths turned up and asked him to leave. Administration officials, including the sub-divisional officer (SDO), reached the spot and contained the situation.
The members of three puja committees wanted to credit municipal council chairman Kamlesh Prasad, considered close to former MLA Dadan Yadav, for the ghat clean-up. They had to make their own arrangements after MLA Ali ignored their pleas to visit the ghats and take stock of the situation. Hundreds of families offer arghya (obeisance to Sun God) at the ghats every year.
The MLA, however, cited his busy schedule to avoid visiting the ghat. On spotting him posing for newspaper photographers on Thursday, youths belonging to Panchwati Kala Niketan, Nav Yuvak Sangh and others asked him to leave the spot. The MLA and his followers obliged.
Hours later, Dumraon SDO Pramod Kumar and the police station house officer reached the ghat and asked securitymen to ensure there were no untoward incidents during Chhath.
During the meeting, some youths turned aggressive on the issue of immersion of the Sun God idol. They insisted on immersing next Wednesday, while the administration was adamant on setting a deadline for next Monday.
This triggered trouble for the administration. Later, the SDO said a meeting would be organised with the members and they would take a final decision.
A resident of the ward, Sunil Tiwary, told The Telegraph: “We are in talks with the local administration to ensure peace and harmony. The administration wants to ensure there is peace as Muharram too kicks off next week.
“We are trying to sort it out. The committee members have said they would organise havan and kumari kanya bhoj on Monday and assured not to create problem during immersion on Wednesday.”
The district magistrate could not be contacted for comment.
