BJP terms attack unwarranted

Tribune Reporters 

Shimla, January 29 

The state BJP termed the attack on its party state office by Youth Congress activists as unwarranted and said this unprecedented act would be remembered as a black day in the political history of Himachal, known for peace, tolerance and harmony. 

“It is for the first time in the state that the office of any political party has been attacked and ransacked by the activists of rival party and we condemn this wanton act of violence,” BJP spokesman Ganesh Dutt said here, while interacting with mediapersons. The BJP demanded an inquiry into the attack by a sitting High Court judge.

BJP workers who were holding meeting on membership drive of the party at the BJP office at “Deep Kamal” at Chakkar were shocked as the Youth Congress activists led by Vikramaditya, president of state Youth Congress and son of CM Virbhadra Singh injured workers and smashed the doors and windows of the office, he said. “Sources had informed us earlier that the Youth Congress activists are coming to attack the BJP office and apprehensive of their movement, we informed SP Shimla DW Negi, who assured us that nothing will happen,” Dutt said. Meanwhile, Vikramaditya started his speech and we could overhear the provocative slogans raised by the mob “Aaj inko chhodna nahin todna hai” (Don’t spare them today break them)”, he said. 

“We requested the police to ask the agitators not to come to the BJP office and go to DC office or Raj Bhawan to lodge their protest, but the mob reached the office and attacked us, injuring nearly 10 workers, four of them seriously,” he said. 

These seriously injured persons were rushed to IGMC hospital. Rajesh, who sustained serious eye injury, was referred to PGI, Chandigarh, he said. Accusing the district police of being hand-in-glove with Youth Congress, Dutt said the BJP led by former CM PK Dhumal and party state president Satpal Satti and other party office-bearers and MLAs would meet the Governor tomorrow and seek dismissal of the government. He said an agitation would be held at district headquarters on January 31. The BJP said three women workers were also mishandled by the mob and demanded registration of cases against YC president Vikramaditya Singh, chairman of Congress Mahinder Satan and Atul Sharma and local Congress councillor Sanjay Parmar. 

Local BJP MLA from Shimla Suresh Bhardwaj said such violent activities would not be tolerated. 

President of Yuva Sena of Himachal Lokhit Party Gaurav Sharma said the matter should be probed. 

Organising secretary of HP unit of Vishwa Hindu Parisahd Manoj Kumar said the incident was an example of “Goonda Raj” in the state.   

Protest in Solan

Solan: The BJP protested the attack on its members here today. The protesters raised anti-government slogans and marched through the Mall Road till the DC office. BJP leaders, including local municipal committee’s vice-president Pawan Gupta, Ravi Mehta, Vivek Dhobal, Amar Singh Thakur, Bharat Sahni and others raised slogans against the Congress and demanded action against those responsible for the attack. 

Shanta condemns attack
Dharamsala: Former Union Minister and Kangra MP Shanta Kumar condemned the attack on BJP's state office 'Deep Kamal' in Shimla. He termed it as an attack on the democratic setup of the country. "Difference of opinion is an integral part of democracy, but it has no place for violence," Shanta said. He urged all parties to follow democratic ethics. Kangra district Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders also condemned the alleged attack in which six Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morch activists were injured. In a joint statement issued here BJP state general secretary Vipan Singh Parmar, former Minister Kishan Kapoor, former MLA Praveen Sharma and Kangra district party president Hindveer Kohli said the attack on the Opposition party's office was a sheer example of narrow-mindedness of the present Congress regime in the state. "We condemn the attack on BJP office in Shimla. This has taken place at the behest of Youth Congress chief and son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh," the BJP leaders alleged. — TNS

Activists burn CM's effigy in Mandi
Mandi: BJP activists in the district burnt effigy of CM Virbhadra Singh today protesting the alleged attack on the party office in Shimla. Demanding resignation of the CM Seraj MLA Jairam Thakur said the CM was using the entire police force in implicating BJP leaders in false cases. Party spokesperson Ajay Rana said the CM had given a free hand to his son Vikramaditya Singh to indulge in unlawful activities. — TNS

Cong frustrated: BJP
Kullu: Manali MLA Govind Singh Thakur condemned Congress workers for attacking the BJP office today. In a press statement, he alleged that Congress cadre in the state was frustrated over the achievements and growing popularity of the Union Government, led by Narendra Modi. So they resorted to such violence in this peaceful hill state. He described the incident as a cowardly, mischievous and shameless act. He said the BJP would not tolerate such unlawful incidents and sought immediate arrest of the culprits indulged in the attack.— OC