Dev Bhumi turned into Drugs Bhumi: Dhumal

Our Correspondent

UNA, MAY 21

The BJP today organized a public rally at Basal village in Kutlehar Assembly segment against the alleged “mafia rule” in the state. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, MP Anurag Thakur, state party president Satpal Singh Satti and local MLA Virender Kanwar, besides others, were present.

Dhumal could not address the gathering due to bad weather and strong winds. He, however, addressed media persons after the rally, in which he charged that different types of mafias had been getting political patronage during the Congress rule in the state, adding that the Congress had turned the state from “Dev Bhumi” to “Drugs Bhumi”.

The BJP leader cited the case of a senior officer of the Himachal State Transport Corporation, who was arrested while transporting illicit drugs in his official vehicle. He said that a Punjab SSP had submitted an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that drugs were coming into their state from Himachal Pradesh.

Dhumal said the Congress government had repeatedly changed its stance on allocating liquor vends to suit contractors of its own choice. He said rules have been thrown to the winds and the ruling party has allocated sale of liquor in Mandi district to a Jalandhar based firm.

As regards forest mafia, Dhumal said attacks on forest officials had been reported while no action against had been taken. He added that despite reports of green felling in Chamba and Shimla districts, the government has protected the accused.

MP Anurag Thakur charged that the state government had failed to initiate any follow up action on development schemes announced by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government that includes 67 national highways and the prestigious AIIMS institution. He said Amb Andaura to Daulatpur Chowk section of the Una to Talwara line will be commissioned shortly, adding that the electrification of the Una to Amb Andaura track is underway.