Consumer rights activists injured in clash with depot holders

Our Correspondent

Abohar, August 31

Consumer Movement and District RTI Activists Association chairman Satpal Khariwal and two other consumer activists were injured when a group of depot (fair price shop) holders allegedly “attacked” them inside the Food and Civil Supplies office complex here on Monday afternoon.

Victims alleged that Depot Holders Association former president Vicky Batra, Sonu Phutela and Satish Siwan, son of BJP councillor Thakur Dass Siwan, had assaulted them.

The Depot Holders Association held a demonstration against consumer activists for the alleged “harassment” and complained that they were taking law into their hands. They said the state government had “backtracked” on all promises and they were not being paid commission for distributing essential commodities even after about nine months. The association said it was justified to charge Rs 10 extra as the cost of bag from each consumer. This was opposed by the consumers’ body.

As the situation became tense, the city police rushed to the site and rescued Khariwal and others. Khariwal along with Rajiv Mittal and Ajay Goyal were admitted to the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital.

The consumers’ body had lodged a complaint with the department against the alleged “malpractices” in the distribution of essential commodities here.

District Food and Supplies Officer Amanjit Singh had arrived to inquire into the complaint lodged by consumers but he said the complainants and depot holders clashed before the beginning of the inquiry.

He alleged that the complainants also misbehaved with an inspector, Poonam Rani. All factions have lodged complaints with the city police.