Local journalist involved in Ankita Bhandari agitation held in old case, dharna by parents of Ankita Bhandari enters eighth day
Local journalist involved in Ankita Bhandari agitation held in old case, dharna by parents of Ankita Bhandari enters eighth day
S.M.A.KAZMI
Dehradun, March 6
Despite the arrest of a local journalist Ashutosh Negi who was in the forefront of agitation seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari, a young girl who was allegedly murdered by the son of a senior RSS functionary, in a two year old case under SC/ST Act, the dharna by the old parents of Ankita Bhandari at Srinagar Garhwal entered its’ eighth day today.
A large number of people including villagers and statehood agitators joined the parents of Ankita Bhandari to show their solidarity with the movement seeking justice for the young girl.
Ashutosh Negi, editor of a local newspaper ‘Jago Uttrakhand’ was arrested by Uttarakhand police in an old case.His bail application was not even heard as the Pauri district judge was on leave and he was immediately sent to judicial custody for 15 days.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar in a statement given to a news agency stated that Uttarakhand police is committed to provide justice to Ankita Bhandari. He said that arrest of Ashutosh Bhandari has nothing to do with the case but charged that certain elements are trying to exploit the case.
Reacting on his statement, Uttarakhand Congress Chief Karan Mahra has charged that the state police chief has been talking like a spokesperson of the ruling BJP party. He said that the police had completely failed to take action against the alleged VIP being named by the parents of Ankita Bhandari. He further said that despite the JCB testifying the names of BJP MLA and local SDM for demolishing Vantara Resorts in the court, no action was taken.
Uttarakhand Mahila Manch has also condemned the arrest of Ashutosh Negi by the Uttarakhand police. Senior Statehood agitators Anil Swami and Dev Singh from Maletha have also condemned the statement of DGP regarding agitation seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari.The agitators have decided to take out a ‘Mashaal’ procession on March 7, 2024 on the eve of the International Women’s Day.
