Villagers threaten dharna if youth apprehended in Padmaavat row not acquitted

GURUGRAM: The residents of Bhondsi village organised a mahapanchayat on Sunday to demand the release of those youth who have been apprehended for arson and vandalism including setting a roadways bus on fire and attacking a school bus carrying children. The villagers have decided to meet the deputy commissioner on Monday. The parents have threatened to sit on dharna if their children were not released.
On January 24, around 18 young men from Bhondsi village were apprehended by Gurugram police over Padmaavat row. However, since then, 2 juvenile accused have been acquitted, while 16 are still apprehended.

To discuss the further course of action for the release of their children, the villagers met at 11am on Sunday. “This is unfair that instead of catching the hooligans who posed a threat to the village residents too, cops framed our innocent children,” said Sanjay Raghav, a village resident.

The villagers have been saying that the apprehended youth were picked up by police while they were returning from tuition or sports practice, or were just spectators to the whole scene.

"If cops have any evidence against the apprehended youth, than they should show it to everyone. They have nothing against the youth, and we want all the youths to be acquitted at the earliest. Once tainted with a police record, the future of these youth will be spoiled,” said Pradeep.

The villagers threatened an agitation if the apprehended youth are not released. They have decided to meet the deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh and police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar on Monday seeking intervention in the matter. The villagers have already met the chief minister on January 31. However, they have not received any assurance.

“We want an impartial probe in the matter. We seek justice from these officials and hope they will find the actual culprits,” said Bishan Singh.