Upset over ‘police inaction’, protesters raise slogans against Baddi SP, Nalagarh MLA

Tension prevailed in Nalagarh town for the third consecutive day today and a protest was held against the alleged lack of police action against the members of a particular community, who had threatened a youth on Thursday.

The protesters raised slogans against the SP, Baddi, for the alleged failure of the police to act against the culprits, who had vitiated the peace of the area, and for “acting under duress”. Former Nalagarh MLA KL Thakur lent support to the demonstrators, who marched through the market and reached the SDM office but the officer was away to Solan. They then marched towards the police station, which was also closed. The Additional SP tried to pacify the protesters but to no avail.

The protesters then proceeded towards the guesthouse of the Jal Shakti Department where Baddi SP Ilma Afroz was present. They continued with their demonstration when they did not get an assurance from the SP that the culprits would be arrested and the aggrieved youth would be provided security.

The protesters rued that for the past four days, they had been requesting the authorities concerned to provide protection to the victim but they instead were receiving threats in the police presence.

The protesters expressed their displeasure to the SP over the alleged police inaction to arrest the accused till now. They demanded an unbiased enquiry into the incident, accusing the police of protecting the culprits and not listening to them.

Complainant Anil Kumar said that he feared for the safety of his family, as the accused had threatened him in the police station. He added, “I am being targeted because I hail from the majority community. No security has been provided to me.” The SP said that an FIR had been registered and legal action would be taken in the matter.

Incumbent MLA Hardeep Bawa also drew the ire of the protesters for his social media post in which he had stated that an old dispute between two groups led to the incident. He stressed the need to maintain peace among all communities.

He added that the Opposition had lent support to the protesters for political reasons. The demonstrators, however, refuted Bawa’s allegations and shouted slogans against him.