Dharamshala | TNR
The assault on former Congress MLA and former CPS Jagjivan Pal during a sit-in protest against the proposed foundation stone laying ceremony of panchayat bhavan in Rida of Sulah constituency, on August 31, has taken a political turn. While the video of this slap match has gone viral, the Congress party has taken up this matter seriously.
Congress to stage a gherao
In retaliation, the Congress leaders in Kangra district have decided to come together and “gherao” the government on Saturday in Dharamshala to protest against the poor law and order situation in the state. Former Congress minister GS Bali has also condemned the incident and warned the BJP government of strong retaliation.
Viral video
The video that went viral clearly shows Jagjivan Pal being slapped and pushed onto the floor. The police who were brought in during this commotion too watched the entire incident as mute spectators. However, Jagjivan Pal has not reacted or commented on the incident so far and neither has Assembly Speaker Vipin Parmar, who is also the BJP MLA from Sulah.
Dispute over selection of land
The dispute, in fact, arose even before the foundation stone of the Rida panchayat building of Bhavarna development block was laid. Assembly Speaker Vipin Parmar was to lay the foundation stone of the building but some people started a dispute over the selection of the land which was actually donated. The panchayat pradhan, deputy pradhan, and three other ward members alleged that they had not received any information regarding the foundation stone laying programme.
Tussle intensified during Dharna
Following these accusations, former CPS Jagjivan Pal jumped into the fray and sat on a ‘dharna’ in support of the pradhan, deputy pradhan and three ward members. The police tried to dissuade him and other protestors to leave the venue. A tussle then began, in the midst of which some people slapped Jagjivan Pal and pushed him to the ground.
Congress leaders of Kangra district to give memorandum to DC
District Congress Committee, Kangra, would give a memorandum to district collector,Kangra, on Saturday demanding strict action.
