Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Enraged over dozens of FIRs registered against Panthers Party leaders on false and frivolous grounds during the last one year, JKNPP workers held protest demonstration seeking investigation of these FIRs through CBI.
Led by Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman JKNPP, the protesting Panthers assembled near Press Club Jammu and raised slogans against District Administration Udhampur.
Alleging persecution of NPP leaders and workers by District Administration Udhampur at the behest of BJP, Harsh Dev Singh regretted that no cognizance was being taken of blatant and brazen display of authoritarianism in the said district. “The NPP activists had been booked on multifarious occasions for raising public voice to highlight the development needs of the area while cases were registered against NPP leaders for holding public meetings,” he lamented and added that on the other hand, no cognizance was taken of criminal acts of BJP workers despite documentary and other evidence provided to the civil and Police Administration against them.
Making a mention of numerous frivolous FIRs, registered against NPP leaders, including himself, Harsh Dev Singh called for high level investigation into all such FIRs lodged with malafide intentions through CBI. He further sought an enquiry into the nexus of the incumbent SSP with political persons and non registration of FIRs against politicians and criminals owing allegiance to BJP despite their culpable conduct and antecedents.
Meanwhile, JKNPP general secretary Manju Singh while addressing a press conference, here today, accused the BJP of using Civil and Police Administration to browbeat Panthers.
While referring to the statement issued by DC Udhampur that he has written to higher authorities to evict Harsh Dev Singh from Government Quarter at Gandhi Nagar Jammu and also to withdraw his security, Manju Singh alleged that the DC was exceeding his jurisdiction and crossing the Rubicon. “Can he make a recommendation with regard to the subject which does not fall in his domain or his duties as a civil servant? And could he seek the withdrawal of the security cover of a protected person who is a Ex-Minister and head of a recognized political party whose security categorization has been done by the Apex State Committee on security” she questioned and called for personal indulgence of the Governor to safeguard the lives and liberties of NPP leaders.