By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 3 Jan: The Congress party intensified its agitation across Uttarakhand on Saturday, launching widespread protests and burning effigies while demanding the disclosure of the alleged ‘VIP’ name in the Ankita Bhandari murder case and a CBI investigation monitored by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. In Dehradun, party workers assembled at the Yamuna Colony intersection where they burnt an effigy of the state government as a mark of protest.
At the same time, activists of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also staged a demonstration outside the District Magistrate’s office in Dehradun, raising demands for justice for Angel Chakma and Ankita Bhandari. When the office gates remained closed, several activists attempted to climb the boundary wall. Despite police efforts to restrain them, the students managed to push through and open the gates.
The Congress has mounted a strong offensive against the administration, expressing outrage over unanswered questions in the case. Protesters raised slogans and burnt effigies while demanding the identification of the alleged VIP and a CBI probe. In line with this, the Mahila Congress marched towards the residence of Yamkeshwar MLA Renu Bisht in Rishikesh.
Led by Uttarakhand Congress Women’s Front State President Jyoti Rautela, activists attempted to gherao Bisht’s Ashutosh Nagar residence in Rishikesh today. Acting on prior information, the police placed barricades along the route to intercept the protesters. A heated exchange ensued between Rautela and police personnel when she tried to cross the barriers, following which she staged a sit-in on the road, raising slogans against the government.
Speaking to the media, Rautela claimed that MLA Renu Bisht has remained silent on the Ankita Bhandari case. She questioned the government’s hesitation in naming the alleged VIP and identifying the person referred to as ‘Gattu’. She asked why the government fears a CBI probe if it truly intends to deliver justice to Ankita, asserting that such agitations will continue across the state until their demands are met.
The fresh wave of protests comes in the wake of an audio clip released by the alleged wife of former Jwalapur MLA Suresh Rathore, which reportedly mentions the names of the alleged VIP and Gattu. Since the audio went viral, the Congress, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and several organisations have taken to the streets. The Congress has further alleged that Renu Bisht had ordered the demolition of the resort where Ankita worked in order to destroy evidence.
In Rudrapur, Kumaon division, the protest turned violent as Congress workers reached the Collectorate and clashed with police. The scuffle and subsequent lathi-charge left three to four police personnel and several Congress workers injured.
In Srinagar, a ‘Justice for Ankita Bhandari’ march was organised under the leadership of Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee State President Ganesh Godiyal. The march began from the NIT Uttarakhand gate, passed through Pauri Chungi, and concluded at Gola Bazaar. A large number of party workers and locals joined the procession, demanding disclosure of the VIP’s identity.
In Kotdwar, Congress workers waved black flags at BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt at multiple locations. Upon learning that Bhatt was staying at a hotel in Defence Colony on Najibabad Road, a large group of protesters gathered to shout slogans against him and the government. Black flags were shown to the state president as he left the hotel and again near Buddha Park while proceeding towards the Paniyali rest house, with protesters reiterating their demand for a CBI investigation.
