PATNA, March 16 -- Officials from state revenue services, including circle officers (COs) and revenue officers (ROs), gathered in large numbers under the joint banner of the Bihar Revenue Service Association (BiRSA) and BiRSA United (BiRSA-U), here on Sunday and resolved to intensify their ongoing agitation. COs, ROs and other officers of the revenue services demonstrated their show of strength at the gathering against what they called the government's arbitrary approach and disregard for their cadre's rights. Speaking to the media amid chants and placards, leaders accused the state government of ignoring their concerns, mistreating officers and imposing unilateral decisions that undermine the structure and efficiency of the revenue department. The stir, launched by the revenue officers as an initial a pen-down protest on March 2, escalated as an indefinite strike from March 9, shows no signs of relenting. Officers made it clear that work will remain suspended across the state's nearly 537 circle offices until the government addresses their grievances in full. "The Nitish government has paid no heed to our demands. Instead, it is forcing its decisions on us and treating officers unfairly. We will continue this until our issues are resolved," one senior participant said, echoing the collective sentiment. Denial of posting of the revenue officers on key positions like those of deputy collector land reforms (DCLR) is considered the flash point of the strike. Officers allege that despite Patna High Court orders in their favour, the government has bypassed it by reserving or transferring such posts to other cadres like the Bihar administrative service (BAS), often appointing less experienced officers from those streams to handle revenue functions without adequate background. Bihar deputy chief minister and revenue minister Vijay Kumar Sinha meanwhile offered a clear olive branch to striking circle officers and revenue officials, declaring that no action would be taken against those who return to duty in the next 24 hours. Officers complying by tomorrow will have both strike periods adjusted in their records without penalty, he said in an official statement. Sinha described March as a crucial month for the department, citing the revenue Mega Campaign with nearly 46 lakh pending applications, the ongoing e-Mapi digital measurement drive, and CM Nitish Kumar's Samriddhi Yatra - all targeted for completion by March 31. Stressing that circle offices handle core citizen services linked to land rights and certificates, he appealed for cooperation to avoid any disruption in public delivery. While acknowledging genuine concerns - including issues under the general administration department - he cautioned against "pressure politics" and reiterated the government's twin commitment to people's welfare and administrative discipline....