BJP protests ‘mafia raj’ under Sukhu-led Congress govt in Himachal
Party rally at Chaura Maidan near Vidhan Sabha throws traffic out of gear, inconveniencing commuters.
Protesting against the “mafia raj” in Himachal Pradesh, BJP leaders and workers held a demonstration against the state government at Chaura Maidan near the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday, throwing traffic out of gear in the hill town.
Hundreds of BJP workers, including women, gathered at Chaura Maidan on the call given by state unit chief Rajeev Bindal and raised slogans against the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government for failing to address the growing incidents of crime, unemployment and inflation, while educational and health institutions were being closed down.
Bindal had announced that BJP activists would gherao the Vidhan Sabha against the “mafia rule” in the state due to the unchecked sale of ‘chitta (heroin)’ and illegal mining.
Quagmire of crime: Sharma
State BJP in-charge Shrikant Sharma said, “In the past two-and-a-half years, the Congress government has pushed Himachal Pradesh into a quagmire of crime, mafia rule and debt. Gang wars and firing have become common in Mandi, Bilaspur, Una and Hamirpur. The mafias cannot have so much courage without government protection.”
State BJP co-incharge Sanjay Tandon said, “Jungle raj has taken over Himachal. Women are unsafe. Bullets are being fired due to the gang war. Chitta mafia is ruining the lives of youngsters. The Congress government has proved to be anti-women as 28 lakh have been given a false guarantee of ₹1,500 a month.”
In his address, Bindal said: “Firing was unknown in the state, known as Devbhoomi. The state of gods and goddesses has been turned into a state of mafias. Development, schools, colleges, hospitals, treasury, everything has been stopped, only mafia rule is running.”
CBI probe into Negi’s death sought
The BJP leaders demanded a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, the chief engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. Negi went missing on March 10, and his body was recovered in Bilaspur district on March 18. His family members alleged that senior corporation officials had been harassing Negi, who was forced to work late at night despite being unwell and demanded action against them.
Leader of opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “This government is entangled in the web of mafia rule and corruption. Due to this, honest, hardworking and sensible officers like Negi are not among us today. The person who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for illegal mining goes to the chief minister’s office in the CM’s car. Sukhu is not serious about these matters.”
“The chitta mafia has reached every corner of the state today. The drug mafia is getting the protection of the government. Fourteen youngsters have died in the state due to drugs this year alone. More than 180 murders, 600 rapes and 2,500 thefts have taken place in the state in two years,” said Thakur.
“BJP workers were stopped 10km from the protest site. Water cannons have been brought from Punjab and Haryana to stop our protest,” he added.
Commuters at receiving end
The BJP protest in the heart of Shimla triggered long traffic jams across the state capital, inconveniencing commuters.
“I had an appointment with a doctor but have been stuck in the traffic jam for 45 minutes,” said Anita Kumari, a resident of Chaily in Shimla. Another woman resident from Summer Hill, Monica Sharma, said: “I had to return midway after being stuck in traffic for an hour. I couldn’t drop my daughter to school.”
