Friday, 22 July 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
Taking cognisance of the Helang incident, the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Garhwal commissioner Sushil Kumar to set up an inquiry to ascertain the facts in the matter. The commissioner has been directed to investigate the case without any delay. On the occasion of Harela festival,paramilitary and police personnel had allegedly snatched bundles of fodder from some women of the Helang village of Chamoli district. The women were taken to the Joshimath police station where they were reportedly held for hours. The incident attracted widespread criticism of the State administration and the manner in which the hydro power companies are operating in the State. The State government elicited considerable flak especially on social media with posts showing the CM washing the feet of Kanwadiyas on one side and uniformed personnel manhandling a native woman with a bundle of fodder on the other side.
Earlier on Thursday, the Chamoli district police on its social media page posted a rebuttal to the criticism and the popular view of the incident. The post had also stated that the Forest minister had ordered an inquiry into the matter. Observers have questioned why the department first stated its view, accusing a few families of causing disturbance before adding that the minister had ordered an inquiry into the matter. It now remains to be seen if the probe ordered by the chief minister ascertains the truth in the case.
