Govt shielding anti-social elements: Dhumal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 22

Leader of the Opposition PK Dhumal today said there was an atmosphere of fear, loot and plunder in Himachal with the government completely failing to protect the life, property and rights of the people.

Talking to mediapersons after the Vidhan Sabha was adjourned, Dhumal said Dev Bhoomi had been converted into drug bhoomi as the government had failed to take action against anti-social elements. “The rape and murder of the Kotkhai girl remains a mystery as there are too many missing links in the police story. The manner in which pictures of four accused were uploaded on the CM’s facebook account and later removed and then the custodial death of one of the accused in the police custody raises too many doubts about impartial investigation,” he said.

He alleged that the murder of forest guard Hoshiyar Singh was being shown as suicide, which reflected the inept handling of the case. “We also wish to know how come the drugs, seized from a transport official, turned out to be lime and if he was falsely framed, then why action has not been taken against the police officials, who tried to falsely implicate him in the case,” he quipped.

Dhumal said the imposition of Rs 1.15 crore penalty by the National Green Tribunal only confirmed the allegation that the forest mafia was not just flourishing, but also getting government protection. “There are reports that efforts are on to provide undue benefits to a liquor firm in the garb of reviving sick units. When there is no dearth of people seeking a licence, then why the need for such a policy,” Dhumal said.

He also alleged that the government was paying standing charges to trucks at Jamta near Nahan as in the absence of a godown, the trucks had to keep waiting for days to be unloaded. “Now, in a strange development, there are reports that liquor contractors are being asked to make godowns and pay commission to the Beverages Corporation,” he alleged.