A day after climbing atop water tank, lawyer, kin refuse to relent
A lawyer, who along with five members of his family had climbed atop a water tank in Beli area here on Saturday morning alleging police inaction into the alleged kidnapping of his brother and grabbing of his land in his native Hardoi district by some muscleman, refused to come down till late on Sunday night despite repeated appeals of police and administrative officials.
ADM (city) AK Kanaujiya talked to the lawyer several times. Even the ADM and the DM of Hardoi talked to the lawyer and promised him all help. However, the lawyer Vijay Pratap, in his 40s, did not heed to their requests and demanded a CBI inquiry into his matter.
Pratap claimed to have made several complaints regarding grabbing of his land by a muscleman, alleging that no action was taken as the muscleman’s
brother was a cop posted at DIG office.The lawyer said he and his family were on a hunger strike which they would continue unless their demands were fulfilled. He also warned of self-immolation if any attempt was made to bring them down forcibly. He is also carrying a large container full of petrol.
Meanwhile, a net was placed near the tank as officials desperately tried to convince the family
to come down promising to redress all their issues. Unable to convince them, the officials provided them water, a power bank for keeping their mobile phone charged .Meanwhile, DM, Prayagraj, Bhanu Chandra Goswami as well as office bearers of lawyers’ association reached the spot at around 9pm and began talks with the lawyer. The talks were on till the time of filing of the report.