A confrontation between the Delhi Police and Himachal Pradesh Police unfolded on Wednesday after three Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers were arrested from Rohru in Shimla district in connection with the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit in Delhi.
According to reports, a Delhi Police team reached Rohru early Wednesday morning and arrested three IYC workers who had allegedly staged a semi-nude protest at the AI Summit. The team arrived at a rest house in Mendli in three vehicles and detained the youths. The police were also carrying the register of the rest house and are investigating in whose name the rooms were booked. It is being reported that the three accused are from other states.
The Delhi Police were taking the arrested workers to Delhi when the Himachal Pradesh Police intercepted their vehicles near Kandaghat in Solan district. Earlier, around 10 a.m., a Himachal Police team had set up a checkpoint at Dharampur and began checking vehicles coming from Shimla.
During the checking, Himachal Police stopped the Delhi Police team and freed the three Congress workers. They were later taken back to Shimla. Not only this, the Himachal Pradesh Police also detained at least 20 Delhi Police personnel. The police personnel and the leaders were taken to Shimla and produced before the court.
Himachal Pradesh Police termed the action of the Delhi Police illegal, stating that no prior information or notice was given regarding the arrest of the three Himachal youths.
SP Solan Tirumalaraju SD Varma said the Solan police received information about the incident and set up nakas near Dharampur at the request of the Shimla police. He clarified that the rest of the operation was carried out by the Shimla police. The DGP has not yet responded to reports on the matter.
Kuldeep Rathore, AICC spokesperson and MLA from Theog, has sought strict action by the state government against the Delhi Police for allegedly raiding Himachal Sadan. He said the action against Youth Congress leaders was an attempt to silence them. “Raiding premises without a warrant is a clear violation of privacy,” Rathore said in his press statement. He urged the state government to initiate legal action against the Delhi Police.
Rathore also condemned the Centre. He said the country does not belong to any one political party. “In a democracy, governments come and go, but the opposition’s duty is to raise the people’s voice,” he said. He alleged that the Central government is trying to silence young voices by turning the Youth Congress’ shirtless protest during the AI Summit in New Delhi into a major issue.
He said the Youth Congress workers had peacefully protested on February 20 against the US-India trade deal and its impact on farmers and youth. Rathore claimed that there is growing anger among young people because of the anti-people policies of the Central Government, lack of jobs, and job cuts.
Rathore also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the protest had damaged the country’s image internationally. He questioned whether holding a democratic protest can be termed anti-national. “Labeling someone anti-national for speaking against the PM is against democracy’s spirit,” he said. “India’s dignity is the responsibility of both protesters and the government,” Rathore added.
According to reports, the Congress workers had gone to Rohru, Shimla, to hide. They were staying at a rest house in Mendli. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam. Those arrested include National Secretary Krishna Hari, Bihar State Secretary Kundan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh IYC Vice President Ajay Kumar and National Coordinator Narasimha Yadav, who were detained on the spot.
On Monday, Jitendra Singh Yadav (30), Ajay Kumar (36) and Raja Gurjar (24) were arrested from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday, IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib was also arrested. Further investigation in the matter is underway.
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