Kotkhai shame: Protesters gherao House

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 23

Protesters under the banner of the Gudia Nyay Manch, supported by various Left-supported NGOs, today gheraoed the Vidhan Sabha for three hours after staging a massive protest from Panchayat Bhawan to the House.

Raising anti-government and anti-Virbhadra slogans, they demanded the dismissal of DGP Somesh Goyal to provide justice for the Kotkhai rape and murder victim and death of Suraj in police custody. They also sought immediate action in the mysterious disappearance of Medh Ram from Baldeinya, death of forest guard Hoshiar Singh, protection for Suraj’s wife Mamta and policy sentry Dinesh Sharma, who was posted at Kotkhai when Suraj died.

Addressing a gathering one by one, Rakesh Singha, president Seb Utpadak Sangh and Dr Kuldip Tanwar, president, Himachal Kisan Sabha, they accused the Congress of shielding the culprits. They also accused the opposition BJP of not supporting the cause of victims.

Singha warned that if the justice was not provided and the real culprits were not caught, they would intensify stir. There was no law and order in the state which was being ruled by the drug, forest and mining mafias, he charged.

Vijender Mehra, co-convener, Gudia Nyay Manch, demanded the police protection for Mamta, saying that her statement on the rape and murder case should be recorded in the presence of judicial magistrate while Dinesh Sharma should also get police protection.