Rudrapur, Sept. 7 -- A BJP leader and his supporters allegedly smeared mud on a Public Works Department (PWD) assistant engineer's face and scuffled with him during an inspection of flood-hit areas in Bazpur on Sunday, accusing the department of negligence and delays in constructing bridges and embankments along the swollen Lebda River. The incident occurred on Beria Road when administrative officials and personnel from various departments were inspecting areas affected by flooding caused by the river, which has been swollen for past 36 hours. According to Richa Singh, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Bazpur, floodwater entered around 200 houses after the Lebda River swelled following heavy rainfall. "Floodwater entered around 200 houses and we were on the spot to assess the situation and provide relief to affected people. PWD officials reached the spot late, and locals were extremely angry, which led to the incident," she said. PWD assistant engineer Rajeev Gaur subsequently reached the site, following which an argument broke out between him and BJP leaders Rajesh Kumar and Gaurav Sharma, over the alleged delay in carrying out flood-protection works. "The CM sanctioned adequate funds for works... but PWD officials have not taken the matter seriously. As a result, people are facing flooding from the river again this year," Kumar said.htc...