By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 May: A case has been registered against Uttarakhand Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela and four others for climbing atop a water tank in Parade Ground, obstructing government work, and threatening self-immolation in support of the demands raised by the Nursing Ekta Manch. The case has been lodged at Dalanwala Police Station here after the incident created disruption and posed a serious law and order challenge.
It may be recalled that Jyoti Rautela along with members of the Nursing Unemployed Organisation had on 11 May, entered the restricted premises of the drinking water department and climbed atop the water tank to press their demands. Despite repeated appeals by the officials, they refused to come down and continued to exert pressure. Meanwhile, other members staged a sit-in protest below the tank, raising slogans and blocking the access to the tank area. The police and administrative officers tried to pacify the agitators for two to three days but they failed. As a result, security forces were deployed at and around the Parade Ground and the tank to maintain peace.
On 12 May, Rautela escalated matters by pouring petrol on herself and threatening to set herself ablaze with a matchstick. The authorities had to intervene. They urged her not to commit such an act. At the same time, members of the Nursing Ekta Manch and other organisations blocked the main road outside the Parade Ground, causing traffic disruption and raising slogans. The administration eventually managed to clear the road after assuring the protesters that their demands would be forwarded to the government.
Under mounting pressure, the administration sent the proposal of demands to the state government yesterday. Following an assurance from the government that it would consider the demands, Rautela and her four associates finally came down from the tank.
Speaking to the media, SP City Pramod Kumar today confirmed that a case has been registered against Rautela and her associates for obstructing public movement, disrupting the essential government work including water supply, disobeying lawful orders of public servants, carrying inflammable substances and threatening self-immolation, disturbing public peace and causing inconvenience to citizens.
Reacting from hospital after the case was filed, Rautela said she has seen the statement of SSP Dehradun that legal action would be taken against those who climbed the tank. She appealed that no action be taken against the young protesters as their future is at stake and insisted that any legal proceedings should be directed at her alone. She added that she is prepared to fight the matter legally. Later, Rautela posted a video on social media declaring that the 160-day struggle of nursing employees has only just begun to achieve victory.
