Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 21 Jun: A heated dispute broke out between the Municipal Council team and certain individuals during an anti-encroachment drive conducted late Saturday night on Mall Road—considered the lifeline of the tourist town of Mussoorie—against illegal street vendors. The Municipality alleges that while opposing the operation, a group of women and a man named Sanjay Tamta not only obstructed the team but also behaved rudely with staff and officials, hindered official work, and forcibly stopped the vehicle transporting the confiscated goods.
There is widespread resentment among municipal employees following the incident. On Sunday, a large number of employees, led by the employees’ union, visited the Mussoorie police station to demand strict action and the registration of a case against the accused. They stated that a special anti-encroachment drive had been conducted on Mall Road Saturday night under the leadership of Municipal Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin. According to the Municipality, individuals had long been flouting rules by setting up illegal stalls on Mall Road late at night, disrupting traffic and order; consequently, the team launched the drive to remove the encroachments.
According to the Municipality, some individuals began opposing the team during the operation. It is alleged that Sanjay Tamta and his associates verbally abused the staff, behaved indecently, and attempted to halt the proceedings. Furthermore, the municipal vehicle carrying the seized goods was forcibly stopped. A heated exchange ensued between the two parties, creating a tense situation at the scene. In a formal complaint submitted to the police station, the municipal administration alleged that prior to this incident, Sanjay Tamta had threatened a municipal employee named Robin over the phone. The complaint states that the caller remarked, “The EO will leave, and the Chairperson’s tenure is only for five years, but you have to remain here.” The municipality claims that an audio recording of this conversation is available and will be handed over to the police as evidence if required.
Office-bearers of the Municipal Employees’ Union state that a sense of insecurity has arisen among the staff due to persistent threats and abusive behaviour. The employees maintain that while they are merely discharging their official duties, they are being threatened while on the job—a matter of serious concern.
Chandra Prakash Badoni, General Secretary of the Municipal Employees’ Union, stated that municipal staff and officials are continuously working to maintain order on Mall Road. He alleged that certain individuals are deliberately attempting to disrupt this order by setting up illegal street-side stalls. Although action is being taken against such individuals in accordance with the rules, these people are resisting the enforcement and behaving abusively toward the staff and officials. He asserted that attempts to demoralise the employees would not be tolerated. He warned that, if action is not taken against the offenders, the employees would be compelled to launch a protest and boycott work, which would directly impact the city’s civic operations.
In a letter addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mussoorie, Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin described the incident as serious. He demanded the immediate registration of an FIR and strict legal action against Sanjay Tamta and his associates for obstructing official work, threatening employees, engaging in abusive behavior, and disrupting law and order. Copies of the letter have also been sent to the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Municipal Chairperson, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
Mussoorie SHO Devendra Chauhan stated that the matter would be investigated based on the complaint received from the municipality and the available evidence, and that necessary action would be taken in accordance with the law.
