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Journalism of Courage
Visit of former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Bua Singh to Mussoorie and Dhanolti is causing political embarrassment for the present BJP Government in Uttarakhand. Singh was vacationing in the hills and left the state a couple of days back.
The visit has sparked protests by various statehood agitators, particularly the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal. A regional party, it is a partner in the Government. Even as Singh left, his effigies were burnt at many places in Mussoorie, Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal.
Singh was Deputy Inspector General of Police, Meerut, during the October 1994 Rampur Tiraha incidents when many statehood agitators proceeding towards Delhi were killed in a police firing. A number of police officials are facing charges framed by the CBI, which is probing the incident. Singh too was an accused in the initial chargesheet but the UP Government did not give permission to prosecute the senior police official.
Along with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was then the CMof Uttar Pradesh, Singh was termed a villain by those spearheading a movement to carve out a separate state of Uttarakhand.
The current protests were sparked off following reports that the state police were extending preferential treatment to the senior officer. UKD leaders have demanded action against police officials responsible for extending hospitality to Singh. “If it is true then action should be taken against erring officials,” said Shivanand Chamoli, Vice-President of the regional party.
