Oppn seeks Prez rule in Himachal

MINOR’S GANG RAPE Fresh violence erupts after one of the accused was found dead in custody; BJP MPs meet Rajnath

As violence spread in Kotkhai town of Shimla district after an accused in the murder and gang rape of a 16-year-old girl died in police custody, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the Centre immediately impose President’s rule in Himachal Pradesh.

A BJP delegation comprising Union health minister JP Nadda and all the four MPs from Himachal, Shanta Kumar, Anurag Thakur, Virender Kashyap and Ram Swaroop Sharma met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and submitted a memorandum in this regard on Wednesday.

Veteran leader and former union minister Shanta Kumar said that there was a complete breakdown of the law and order in the state and the Congress-led state government was responsible. “The law enforcing agencies failed to perform their duty in rape and murder of innocent girl. Instead of arresting the culprits, the police are threatening the protestors,” alleged Shanta.

“We are strongly for President’s rule in Himachal and the recent happenings are enough ground to dismiss the Congress rule,” said Shanta.

Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur alleged that the state government was trying to protect the real culprits and that the police investigation was just eye-wash.

“Now, murder of one of the accused, who had agreed to turn a prosecution witness, has made things more complex,” said Anurag

Expressing his concerns, Shimla MP Virender Kashyap said that the number of heinous crimes has shot up in the otherwise peaceful state of Himachal under Congress regime.

“No one is safe; particularly, women and girls are insecure. This Congress government should be dismissed with immediate effect,” he demanded.

Congress leader and former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia, who has raised banner of revolt against his own government, has also joined the chorus for President’s rule. “Virbhadra Singh is so engrossed in corruption cases pending against him in courts that he is a chief minister and has to run a state,” said Mankotia.

CM Virbhadra Singh said that the government has ordered a probe into death of an accused in Gudiya rape and murder case, in police custody.