Thursday, 22 February 2024 | PNS | LALKUAN
Ex CM Rawat & others to protest outside Vidhan Sabha
A large number of locals staged a demonstration and held a gathering demanding revenue village status for Bindukhatta and other demands. They are also demanding construction of embankment along the Gaula river, construction of martyr Mohan Nath Goswami mini stadium, control on stray cattle, revoking status of all elephant corridors in Bindukhatta and measures to control air and noise pollution. Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat was among those who addressed the gathering organised by the Bindukhatta Sangharsh Samiti.
Rawat said that nobody can destroy Bindukhatta but there was talk of removing encroachment as part of a political agenda. He said that the past governments had talked of providing land to the landless while the current government is working to render such people homeless. He said that the chief minister is talking about giving 900 acres land of BHEL in Haridwar to investors. “I assure you that I will always stand along with you in your struggle. Our government had accorded municipality status but withdrew it after the public protested strongly against the decision. It is condemnable that people in Bindukhatta have now been categorised as encroachers,” Rawat said. The senior Congress leader further said that on February 27, he along with the Bindukhatta Sangharsh Samiti office bearers, former cabinet minister Harish Chandra Durgapal, CPI-ML leader Indresh Maikhuri and others will protest outside the Vidhan Sabha.
Khatima MLA Bhuwan Kapdi said that the Congress government under Rawat had tried to facilitate development in Bindukhatta. Dharchula MLA Harish Dhami said that he will stand in front if action is taken to remove Bindukhatta as an encroachment.
The locals also carried out a protest march in support of their 10 demands on the occasion.
