A service seeker was allegedly thrashed by government staff on Wednesday after he denied providing a bribe at the Land Revenue Office (LRO) in Saptari district. 

After the incident, supporters of Madhesi Morcha and service seekers disrupted the regular works at the LRO, picketing the office throughout the day demanding action against the guilty.

Victim Shyam Prasad Sah, 34, of Rajbiraj-10, who had gone to the LRO for land registration, was beaten on Wednesday. “Dharmendra Khadka and Yogendra Adhikari of ‘Registration Section’ had asked me Rs 200,” said Sah, adding that the duo and other LRO staff started beating him after he refused to pay the bribe. Sah has sustained scars all over his body. He is undergoing treatment at Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital.

Chief District Officer Baldev Gautam said they have already arrested the LRO staffers involved in the incident. “We have initiated a process to take action in accordance to Civil Service Act,” said Gautam. Morcha activists have, however, demanded the District Administration Office to punish the guilty under a criminal offence.