Kullu superintendent of police Gaurav Singh slapped an officer in chief minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur’s security and another security officer kicked the SP.
An ugly scuffle took place in Himachal Pradesh among the senior officers on Wednesday, as Kullu superintendent of police Gaurav Singh slapped an officer in chief minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur’s security and another security officer kicked the SP.
They clashed over the stopping of the convoy of Union minister Nitin Gadkari outside Kullu airport where people impacted by the four-lane project had come to air their grievances.
The incident took place outside the Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar when the CM reached to welcome Gadkari.
A large number of people from the Four-lane Sangharsh Samiti, who have been demanding appropriate compensation for their land, were also waiting for Gadkari there. When the Gadkari saw them standing by the road, he got his vehicle stopped and went to meet them, accompanied by the CM.
Even as Gadkari was listening to the grievances, the CM’s security officer from Himachal Police Services and the Kullu SP started arguing over the unscheduled halt. One of the security officials got upset with Kullu police for “failing to control the agitators” and started arguing with the SP, who slapped him.
Another security officer started kicking the SP in front of CM’s vehicle. Seeing this, local people present at the spot started shouting "SP Sahab ko kyon maar rahe hain (Why are you assaulting the SP).
" When the people rushed towards SP, they were stopped by the police. They then started shouting slogans in favour of the SP.
The video of the incident has gone viral across the state.
Gadkari is said to have assured the protesters that they would get fair compensation and asked Thakur to resolve the issue. Ignorant of the cops’ scuffle just a few meters behind him, Gadkari got into his vehicle and left for his hotel.
While Gaurav Singh was not available for comments, the chief minister`s office also did not respond to the incident.
Hours after the incident, state police chief Sanjay Kundu sent the three officers on compulsory leave.
“Inquiry into the incident has been initiated. All three will remain on compulsory leave until the conclusion of the inquiry. The orders are issued in the interest of the discipline and good conduct of the force and to secure the ends of justice,” said Kundu.
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