Ajit Singh’s supporters clash with police over eviction move

Police said at least 18 people were injured as police fired rubber bullets and tear-gas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse activists of Bharatiya Kisan Union and RLD supporters, who tried to cut off water supply to Delhi from Gangnahar Muradnagar regulator.

“They (supporters) had given a call to cut water supply to Delhi and, for that, 10,000 supporters of BKU and RLD had assembled at the regulator at Muradnagar. It was a volatile situation because they were carrying stones and bottles,” Alok Sharma, IG (Meerut), said. “But we ensured that the water supply was not disrupted,” he said.

The demonstrators had come from Saharanpur, Moradabad, Agra and Meerut range. At least 20 constables were injured, police said.

Last week, power and water supply to the official residences of Singh and other former MPs were disconnected by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation as they were  overstaying.

Singh on Thursday said he would vacate his government bungalow by next week, but claimed people want the house to be converted into a memorial for Charan Singh as he stayed there for 36 years.

The former Union minister also slammed the BJP for lack of “courtesy”, saying though he cannot stay in the residence after ceasing to be a minister or a lawmaker, he should have been given time to vacate after he informed the government of his plans to leave by September 24.

“After the BJP lost power in 2004, several of its leaders continued to occupy bungalows meant for ministers. When I have already informed them that I would leave by September 24, what was the need to cut power and water supply? I had written to the government seeking four months’ time to vacate the house. But there has been no response,” Singh said.

He said when there can be memorials for leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Kanshi Ram, there can be one for his father. “It is the wish of the people that 12, Tughlak Road be converted into a memorial. After all, Chaudhury sahib lived here for 36 years,” he said.

On the protests against his eviction order, he said, “The government should be sensitive to their demand. It should open a dialogue with them. They see it as Charan Singh’s house.”

Meanwhile, police assured that water supply to Delhi was not affected because of the protests at Muradnagar. The Delhi Jal Board said it had made alternative arrangements and “will make up the deficit by lifting Yamuna water from Wazirabad”.

Hooda writes to Naidu, objects to eviction notice

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda objected to the eviction order  issued by the government to former Union Minister Ajit Singh, asking him to vacate the official bungalow allotted to him on Tughlak Road. The government had recently ordered disconnection of power supply to the bungalow. In the letter written to Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Hooda said, “This is an unceremonious and discourteous act. Since the days of former Prime Minister Charan Singh, who moved to the house in 1978, the house has been the centre of activities of the Kisan Trust… The eviction order has severed the sentimental chord connecting Charan Singh’s memories and the peasants… ,” the letter stated.     ENS