IFS thrashed: Action sought against MLA

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 13

Former general secretary of the Indian Forest Association Dr Kuldip Tanwar today demanded that Congress legislator from Bilaspur Bhambar Thakur should tender an unconditional apology from an IFS officer who was thrashed and manhandled by Thakur yesterday in connection with an unauthorised construction of a link road in the area. The state government should arrest the goons so that the morale of the officials was restored, he demanded.

In a statement here today, Dr Tanwar said the state government should probe the matter and take action in connection with the incident. The DFO of the area and his driver were manhandled by the goons, including the MLA, yesterday when the officer concerned was on duty, he said.

Dr Tanwar further said the state government had failed to frame a policy for the construction of link roads. The ambulance and fire tenders could not go and take care of emergencies as the government had no policy for how to make these link roads in the state, he said.

Dr Tanwar asked Forest Minister TS Thakur to clarify as to where the officials on duty could use firearms while dealing with such incidents.