Opposition wants Bhopal encounter to be their rallying point against BJP
NEW DELHI: The Opposition parties may use the Bhopal encounter as the rallying point of their unity against the BJP in the upcoming winter session of Parliament that starts on November 16.
Several Opposition parties have raised questions about the alleged encounter in which eight SIMI operatives were killed.
To make things worse for the BJP, some NDA sympathisers such as the BJD may also take a critical view of the incident.
“There is no doubt that this encounter will lead to Opposition unity in the House,” said Saugata Roy, senior MP of Trinamool Congress.
Former MP chief minister and Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday questioned why “only Muslims break out of jail and not Hindus”— adding a new twist to the ongoing controversy.
His party colleague Abhishek Manu Singhvi demanded a judicial probe.
Ahead of the elections in five states, the Opposition may try to use the incident to question the BJP government’s style of functioning.
“Earlier, in Gujarat, we have seen extra-judicial killings under the BJP rule. Again, people have been killed in a dubious encounter in another BJP-ruled state. Opposition parties will definitely corner the government on this issue,” said CPI(M) member Md Selim.
BJP’s biggest ally, the Shiv Sena, however, slammed the critics.
Its MP Arvind Sawant said, “Were these SIMI activists some great leaders or were they jawans of the nation? Who are they? They are traitors, they are anti-nationals. Why are people sympathising with them? I cannot understand what is wrong with people.” WHEN IT WAS GRANTED August 3, 2015 WHAT IT MEANT Jail guard at every security point
Installation of CCTV cameras to cover all cells
No entry for hardened criminals near outer wall Regular check of the cells and locks to be changed every day Better administrative control and inmate management as per law
Not fully. CCTV cameras in B block, where the SIMI men were housed, were not functioning
Every point was not secured as guards were on leave for Diwali
Locks were reportedly not changed