Pithoragarh: A case has been filed against six people, including Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami, for allegedly creating ruckus, obstructing government work, and manhandling police officers during the Jauljibi fair held in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, police said on Sunday.
Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde told ANI over the phone that the Jauljibi Kotwali police have registered a case against six named individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). An investigation has been initiated. He said the police will ensure a fair investigation and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence.
Controversy erupts after Chief Minister’s event
According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday when Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Jauljibi Fair and addressed the gathering.
After the event concluded, Fair Committee Chairman and Congress MLA from Dharchula, Harish Singh Dhami, arrived with his supporters. These included Ram Singh Rokaya, Saurabh Martolia, Nrip Singh, Manohar Tolia, and Vikram Danu, among others.
Police allege that the group used offensive language, shouted slogans, and vandalized the property. Police officers on the scene attempted to pacify them, but the group allegedly manhandled and shoved police officers and others, disrupting government work.
MLA accuses Chief Minister of corruption
Amidst this incident, Congress MLA Harish Dhami on Saturday accused Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of corruption and challenged him to a direct contest in the by-election.
Speaking to ANI, Harish Dhami said that the Chief Minister is living in fear because he has committed corruption. He claimed that he himself has never been involved in corruption or any wrongdoing, so he is not afraid of any action.
The MLA said, “I told the Chief Minister today that you can take whatever action you want. You have been entangled in legal matters for years. File another case, and I will face that too. For us, handcuffs are like jewelry.”
Challenge to the Chief Minister regarding the by-election
Harish Dhami challenged the Chief Minister directly to contest the by-election, saying that if he has the courage, he should contest the by-election today.
He said, “I have openly challenged Pushkar Dhami that if he has the courage, he should contest the by-election today. If I do not forfeit his bail, then my name is not Harish Dhami.”
Issue of Lipulekh road and death of 8-year-old child raised
The Congress MLA also questioned the Chief Minister’s statement regarding the road to Lipulekh. He criticized the Chief Minister, linking the issue to the death of an eight-year-old child.
Harish Dhami said that an eight-year-old child lost his life, but the Chief Minister shows no remorse. Instead, he is talking about building a beautiful road to Lipulekh. He questioned how the Chief Minister made such a statement regarding the road despite visiting the child’s family a day earlier to express condolences.
Demands action against protesters from Kanar village
Harish Dhami said that he hoped the Chief Minister would take concrete steps for the people of Kanar village, who are on an indefinite hunger strike in Bitaudagarh, and send his representative to try to end their protest.
He also demanded that a representative of the Chief Minister visit the family of the deceased eight-year-old child and acknowledge the government’s failure. Also, necessary steps should have been taken to ensure that no other child loses his life on this road in the future.