Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 13 Feb: Five murders within a span of sixteen days in Dehradun have prompted sharp criticism from the Opposition, which is raising serious questions over the functioning of the police. Amid growing public concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state capital, students affiliated to the National Student Union of India (NSUI), staged a protest and gheraoed the Police Headquarters here today. The demonstration led to scuffles between protestors and the police personnel.
The protest follows the latest daylight shooting on Rajpur Road, which has created panic across the city. As the residents expressed anxiety over the recurring incidents of violence, NSUI and Youth Congress workers gathered outside the State Police Headquarters here to voice their opposition to what they termed as administrative failure. Five murders in just over two weeks in the capital have intensified debate over policing standards and crime prevention measures.
Dozens of NSUI students assembled outside the headquarters and questioned the working of the police, alleging that the law & order machinery had weakened considerably. However, as the protest turned aggressive after a while, the police personnel intervened and forcibly dispersed the gathering. There were also reports of heated scuffles and physical altercations between the protestors and police personnel during the NSUI led Dharna.
Several demonstrators were detained and taken away in police vehicles. The detained NSUI workers, alleged that the law and order situation in the State had collapsed, with murders taking place one after another and open firing incidents occurring in broad daylight, even in posh localities. They claimed that the protest was peaceful and aimed at drawing attention to public safety concerns, but was forcibly suppressed.
Mayank Rawat, another student leader, stated that outsiders are entering the city and disturbing its peaceful environment, yet the police have remained inactive. He said the gherao was intended to awaken the authorities. The NSUI leaders further alleged that several recent incidents have occurred within a short distance of the Police Headquarters and in prominent areas such as Ghantaghar, Paltan Bazaar, Parade Ground and Rajpur Road. They also questioned that if citizens are unsafe in the heart of the capital, how can people in remote parts of the state feel secure.
