AAP councillors removed from protest site again

Chandigarh: For the second day in a row, Chandigarh police used force to remove protesting AAP councillors and their supporters from outside the MC building in Sector 17 following a minor scuffle on Monday.The AAP had decided to hold a chain hunger strike against the BJP over charges of manipulation during Chandigarh mayoral polls, outside the MC office from Sunday onwards. As per the plan, AAP councillor Damanpreet Singh sat on a hunger strike along with four of his associates on Monday. Some of the party councillors tried to enter the MC office, but were stopped by cops and other security personnel deployed at the site. The councillors claimed that being representatives of their respective municipal wards, they should be allowed to meet officials to get their works done. After a minor scuffle with cops, protesting AAP councillors were taken to Sector 39 police station. Later, AAP councillor Damanpreet Singh was also removed from the site and taken to the police station.AAP leader Dr S S Ahluwalia said, “We had informed the UT administration that only five people (one councillor and four volunteers) will observe the hunger strike in front of the MC office in Sector 17. Because of cold weather, we set up a tent and mats for demonstrating workers. But the police did not allow even five people to sit there. They have sent hundreds of people to stop us from protesting because they know we will win. No matter the struggle, the hunger strike and protest will go on.”The AAP leader said that the people of Chandigarh will never tolerate the murder of democracy by the BJP. He said the BJP is using the police administration to forcibly end their hunger strike.