PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Haldwani
Alleging mistreatment of a Bharatiya Janata Party councillor and objecting to the police keeping him in custody on Friday, Kaladhungi MLA Bansidhar Bhagat, the Haldwani mayor Gajraj Bisht and other party workers sat on a dharna outside the Haldwani Kotwali on Saturday. They ended their protest after Nainital senior superintendent of police Prahlad Narayan Meena assured them of action on their demand for taking action against police personnel found guilty.
Ward number 55 councillor Amit Bisht and some locals had an argument regarding the straightening of an electricity pole on Friday. The argument escalated into a violent altercation and its video went viral on social media.The police reached the site of the incident and took Bisht into custody. It was alleged that though the two sides had reached a compromise, the police kept Bisht in custody till past midnight and also allegedly mistreated him.
He was purportedly released on the condition that his nephew remain in the Kotwali. When the councillor was called back to the Kotwali on Saturday, Bhagat called various police officers including the SSP. When no action was taken, he sat on dharna on the road outside the police station. The BJP workers raised slogans against the police during the protest and sought justice. Police officers including the circle officer (City) reached the site and tried to placate the MLA who maintained that he will not get up till the SSP comes and apologises.
As the protest continued, the SSP reached the site and requested the MLA to come to the Kotwali and discuss the issue. During the talks, Bhagat demanded that the guilty personnel should apologise to the councillor and that they should also face action. Meena assured the MLA of action, after which the protesters dispersed.
