Congress protests in Doon over ‘law, order situation’

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Congress on Monday staged a protest in Dehradun, with party functionaries and workers marching from Parade Ground towards Lok Bhavan to press their demands over law and order, rising crime and other issues. A large number of workers from different districts assembled at the venue before proceeding in batches towards Lok Bhavan, raising slogans against the state govt and carrying placards highlighting their demands.The march, which saw a brief clash between Congress workers and police, was led by state Congress chiefGanesh Godiyal, leader of opposition Yashpal Arya, former chief minister Harish Rawat and head of the party's election campaign committee, Pritam Singh. Congress state in-charge Kumari Selja also addressed party workers before the march began.Party functionaries said the protest was organised against crimes against women, unemployment, inflation, corruption and what they termed as a "deterioration in law and order". Referring to recent incidents of violent crime in Dehradun, they alleged that the state capital had witnessed a spike in criminal cases in recent weeks and claimed public safety had become a matter of concern.Addressing party workers, Godiyal alleged that the "BJP govt had failed to control crime and inflation". Arya said the "opposition would continue to raise issues related to unemployment, migration, wildlife attacks, inadequate disaster relief and compensation for farmers facing crop losses". Singh accused the govt of "ignoring public grievances" and said "the protest aimed to hold it accountable".Party functionaries also alleged that publicity material put up for the march towards Lok Bhavan was removed earlier in the day, claiming the "move was intended to curb dissent".Meanwhile, Youth Congress in-charge and national general secretary Surabhi Dwivedi said, "The Youth Congress would act as a shield against elements attempting to spread unrest and disturb peace in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand." She asserted that workers, whom she described as "soldiers of love", would stand firm to ensure the safety and security of people against disruptive forces.Police personnel were deployed in significant numbers along the route and barricades were placed near key intersections. Traffic diversions were implemented in parts of the city to manage congestion during the rally.Several Congress functionaries were detained while attempting to march towards Lok Bhavan and were taken to Police Lines, where they were later released. Congress spokesperson Abhinav Thapar termed the rally a "grand success", saying, "The days of the current BJP govt in the state are numbered, and the people will vote for the Congress party in the 2027 polls."