Kangra: Police today resorted to lathicharge on the members of the Gaddi community at Dal Lake this evening leaving a dozen protesters injured. The protesters were protesting against Chief Minister Virbhdra Singh for his alleged remarks against the Gaddi community.
Members of the Gaddi community of the region today gathered near Dal Lake where Chief Minister was to lay the foundation stone of beautification of the Dal Lake, a project of the Asian Development Bank, and shouted slogans against the Chief Minister.
Ramesh Jaryal, Kangra district chief of the Schedule Tribe, said that police resorted to lathicharge when they were protesting against the Chief Minister’s remarks on the Gaddi community. He said that at least a dozen members of the Gaddi Community were injured and rushed to hospital.
Former Minister Kishen Kapoor said that he had lodged a protest with the Chief Minister against the police action.
SSP Kangra Ramesh Chajta denied that there was a lathicharge on protesters but clarified that they tried to obstruct the Chief Minister’s motorcade and scuffled with the police persons on duty. The SSP said that as the protesters took law in their hands they were dealt with accordingly and booked.
Gaddi leaders allegedly belonging to BJP Janjati Morcha were demanding an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister for his remarks.
Virbhadra had to lay a foundation stone for Dal Lake at 4.40 pm but the programme was delayed allegedly due to the protest. The protesters carrying black flags raised slogans ‘Virbhadra Singh Go Back’, ‘Virbhadra Mafi Mango’.
Vipin Nehria, a Gaddi leader, said that the remarks of the Chief Minister have hurt all the sections of the community and he should apologise.