Public outrage in Rajasthan's Barmer district has led to the arrest of a contractor after a video of him verbally abusing and threatening local villagers over a shoddily constructed road spread like wildfire across social media platforms. The incident, which highlights public frustration over infrastructure quality, unfolded in the Sheo assembly constituency.
Confrontation Over Crumbling Road
The dispute began on Friday when residents of Mati Ka Gol village inspected a newly built 2.5-kilometre road connecting Devka to Mati Ka Gol. The construction work had been carried out by contractor Bhawani Singh of M/s Bhawani Singh Tejmalta. To their dismay, the villagers found the road was already deteriorating and coming apart, raising serious alarms about the use of substandard materials in the project.
When the concerned villagers approached contractor Bhawani Singh to question him about the poor quality, the situation escalated rapidly. Instead of addressing their legitimate concerns, the contractor responded with a torrent of abusive language and outright threats. This heated exchange was captured on video by a bystander.
Viral Video Sparks Community Outrage
The now-viral video clip shows Bhawani Singh in a furious state. In a claim that further inflamed the situation, he can be heard asserting, "The road belongs to my brother MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati," and threatening to beat the villagers with his shoes. This statement directly dragged the name of a local legislator into the controversy.
The video triggered massive anger, particularly among the Kumhar and Prajapat communities in the area. In a powerful show of solidarity, large groups gathered at the Prajapat hostel in Sheo and organized a march to the local police station. Their demand was clear and unanimous: strict legal action against the contractor for his behaviour and the questionable construction work.
Arrest and Political Apology
Bowing to the intense public pressure, the Sheo police swiftly registered a formal case against Bhawani Singh. A police team, led by Station House Officer Satya Prakash Nipu and under the supervision of Circle Officer Manaram Garg, successfully arrested the contractor on Saturday.
In a significant subsequent development, Sheo MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati released an audio message to address the controversy. He issued a clear apology to the aggrieved villagers and took pains to clarify that he had no familial or business relationship with the arrested contractor, distancing himself from the man's claims and actions.
This incident has put a spotlight on the accountability of contractors executing public works and the power of social media in amplifying citizen grievances in rural India. The arrest demonstrates how viral content can catalyze immediate administrative and police action in response to public demand.
