By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Feb: Dehradun today witnessed a large mobilisation by the Congress as party workers took to the streets and marched towards Lok Bhawan, raising slogans against the government over rising crime, unemployment, inflation and the renaming of MGNREGA. The Parade Ground saw a sizeable gathering of supporters ahead of the proposed march. The rally was big and it also led to a major disruption of traffic arrangements, traffic jams and diversions.
Protesting against the continuing incidents of crime and what it described as a deteriorating law and order situation in Uttarakhand, the Congress today organised a march in the state capital. Accompanied by senior party leaders, thousands of workers proceeded towards Lok Bhawan. Prior to the march, the workers gathered at the Parade Ground here from across the state. In addition, a public meeting was also held.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, senior party leaders expressed their concerns over issues including crime, corruption, crimes against women, unemployment, alleged irregularities in recruitments, law and order and the issue of human-wildlife conflicts.
Senior party leaders addressed the gathering taking turns and shared their views on the prevailing political and administrative situation in the state. After the meeting concluded, the Congress workers began their march towards Lok Bhawan. Among those present on the dais were Pradesh Congress Committee President (PCC Chief) Ganesh Godiyal, Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, former Pradesh Congress President and CWC member Karan Mahara, Election Management Committee Chairman Harak Singh Rawat and Election Campaign Committee Chairman Pritam Singh.
The Pradesh Congress Committee placed a series of demands before the police administration in the course of its protest. The party called upon the authorities to launch special drives in all sensitive and crime-prone areas of the State in order to curb unlawful activities. The party also emphasised that immediate, visible and effective steps should be taken to instil a sense of security among the general public and restore public confidence in the law enforcement machinery.
Addressing the party workers, Yashpal Arya said that people have gathered in large numbers to register their protest against what he termed as misgovernance by the BJP government. He alleged that despite enjoying a clear majority, the government has failed to uphold the expectations of the electorate. He also asserted that the law and order in the State has weakened and that the rising incidents of crime are creating fear among citizens. Arya further stated that employment opportunities have diminished and many young people are without jobs. Migration from the hill regions continues, and that the schools are being closed in certain areas. He also alleged that health facilities in hospitals are also inadequate.
Referring to natural calamities, Arya said that Uttarakhand continues to face the impact of disasters and affected families in Dharali, Budha Kedar, Ghansali, Joshimath, Tharali, Munsyari, Dharchula and the Terai region are yet to receive adequate basic facilities. He claimed that nearly 140 bodies remain buried under debris in Dharali and criticised the government for what he described as a lack of response. He also alleged that posters and banners put up by the Congress were removed overnight, but maintained that the movement would continue.
Former PCC Chief Karan Mahara said that along with party workers, members of the general public had also participated in the protest. He alleged that the criminals are acting without fear and that incidents of crimes against women are rising. He referred to alleged recruitment scams and said that these had led to disappointment among the youth. He added that the farmers are agitating for an increase in the support price of sugarcane, while apple growers from the hill regions had also come to Dehradun to stage protests. He said the Congress would continue to demand improved safety for women and action to control crime.
Harak Singh Rawat alleged that the law & order situation had deteriorated and claimed that five murders have taken place in Dehradun district within a span of 15 days. He said that residents in the hill areas are living under fear due to attacks by wild animals. He added that the Congress had organised the programme with the objective of restoring peace and order, ensuring employment for the youth, preventing paper leaks and examination irregularities, and taking action against land and liquor mafia.
Later, as the Congress workers proceeded towards Lok Bhawan, police stopped them at Hathibarkala after erecting barricades. Several leaders and workers climbed onto the barricades and raised slogans against the government. Yashpal Arya and his supporters reportedly crossed the first barricade and reached the main barricading point before being stopped.
PCC Chief Ganesh Godiyal and Pradesh Election Campaign Committee Chairman and the programme convener Pritam Singh expressed gratitude to party workers for participating in the Lok Bhawan gherao programme organised over issues including crimes against women, corruption, unemployment, law and order, inflation and wild animal attacks. Godiyal and Singh said that the participation of workers from across the State would strengthen the party organisation in the coming period and that the Congress would continue to oppose what it described as anti-people policies of the BJP government.
Godiyal thanked the party workers for their participation. He said that the programme reflects the party’s resolve to raise public issues and expressed confidence that the Congress would benefit politically in the 2027 Assembly elections.
