By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
VIKASNAGAR, 28 Feb: Even as the case relating to the alleged murderous attack on Director Ajay Kumar Naudiyal at the Directorate of Elementary Education in Uttarakhand had barely subsided, another incident has come to light. In the Vikasnagar police station area of Dehradun district, Forest department officers and employees have reportedly been assaulted. A video of the incident has also surfaced and has since gone viral. In this case as well, cross complaints have been submitted to the police by both sides. On the basis of the complaints, the police have registered cases and initiated an investigation.
In this connection, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Rajeev Nayan Nautiyal of the Kalsi–Chakrata Forest division submitted a written complaint to the police. According to the complaint lodged at Kotwali Vikasnagar by Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Rajeev Nayan Nautiyal, on Friday (Feb 27) at approximately 5:30 pm, he was returning from his office in Kalsi when he noticed a dumper proceeding from Haripur towards the Yamuna river in the Badwala area. Suspecting irregularity, he began recording a video.
Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Nautiyal has alleged that some people objected to his filming the dumper. He further alleged that he was assaulted and obstructed in the discharge of his official duties. On the basis of the complaint received, Kotwali Vikasnagar police registered a case under Sections 115(2), 352, 324(2), 121(1), 132 and 191(2) of the BNS and commenced legal proceedings.
On the other hand, a complaint has also been submitted by the other side also in the matter. On the complaint of Badwala resident Manish Chauhan, the police have registered a case under Sections 115(2), 324(2), 351(3) and 352 of the BNS, along with Sections 3(1)(d) and 3(1)(dh) of the SC/ST Act.
Providing further details, SP Rural Pankaj Gairola stated that on Friday, Rajeev Nayan Nautiyal, SDO, Kalsi Forest Department, submitted a complaint at Police Station Vikasnagar. In the complaint, he stated that at around 5:30 pm he was returning from his office when he noticed a dumper near the Yamuna river at Haripur. While recording a video of the vehicle, certain people present there allegedly objected and engaged in a scuffle with him. On the basis of his complaint, a case has been registered and legal action is being undertaken.
He added that the other party has also submitted a complaint, alleging assault by the first party. Accordingly, cases have been registered on the basis of the complaints submitted by both sides, and further action will be taken as per law on the basis of the facts that emerge during investigation.
Investigations into both cases are ongoing. Uttarakhand Police stated that an impartial inquiry will be conducted and strict action will be taken against the guilty.
It may be recalled that in the Vikasnagar area near the capital, a dumper crushed several buffaloes belonging to Van Gujjars. These dumpers engaged in mining are reportedly racing on the roads in open violation of regulations. There appears to be no check on their movement. The death of the buffaloes has caused significant financial loss to the Van Gujjars.
It may also be noted here that complaints regarding illegal mining have been surfacing from the Yamuna Valley and Vikasnagar area for a long time. At the local level, reports of nighttime mining and the movement of overloaded dumpers frequently emerge. In previous joint operations, the Forest and Revenue Departments have seized several vehicles.
