PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Expressing anguish on the Bairagiwala murder case, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ganesh Godiyal has said that the incident is an example of failure of law and order machinery in the State. Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased Vinod Kumar Kashyap, Godiyal wished for the speedy recovery of the injured in the incident.
He said that the violent turn of a local dispute, resulting in a murder and subsequent communal tension, raises serious questions about the law and order situation in the State. “If there was a dispute between the parties involved, why did the local administration and police not intervene in time? What lapses occurred that led to such a situation? The criminals have no caste, religion or political identity. All those involved in the murder must be immediately arrested and the strictest legal action must be taken against them, including a trial in a fast-track court,’’ he said.
Questioning administration’s handling of the incident, the PCC president said that the State government should clarify what action was taken in the initial hours of the incident and what steps were taken to control the situation.
Godiyal averred that the Congress party believes in the rule of law and any action should be taken in accordance with the Constitution and the judicial process so that the guilty are punished and no innocent person is harmed. Justice cannot be replaced by vindictive politics, he said.
The PCC president appealed to the people of the State to maintain peace, restraint and brotherhood and said that Uttarakhand has always been known for social harmony and mutual trust. Some elements may attempt to give this tragic incident a communal or political twist, but society must remain vigilant against such attempts, he added.
He demanded that the State government should ensure an impartial investigation in the case.
