Shimla May, 15: Villagers from 22 panchayats of Kandaghat sub-division on Sunday converged on Rurra village and constituted a Gramin Sangharsh Samiti to deal with the controversial Baba Amardev issue which has vitiated the atmosphere in the area. Jagdish Chand has been nominated samiti’s pradhan, while Praveen Kumar and Om Prakash have been chosen “up-pradhan” and secretary, respectively, to deal with the unsavoury episode.
The samiti gave a week’s time to the state government to oust the controversial Baba Amardev, who was constructing Shri Ramlok Temple after “encroaching” upon 5.6 bigha of government land, from the area. The samiti also warned the state government that if the Baba was not ousted from the area within a week they would take to the roads and initiate an agitation.
Daggers have been drawn between Baba Amardev and the villagers since the April 26 scuffle which has left a 52-year-old woman grievously injured. Criminal cases have been slapped against 11 villagers. While leaders from the Congress and the BJP lent support to the people’s cause, Kisan Sabha also came forward to share the villagers agony. Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar was also present on the occasion. He assured the villagers of an amicable settlement of their grievances soon.
The villagers demanded that the whereabouts of the Baba should be inquired and how he was constructing temple by incurring crores should also be investigated. They also stressed the need for speedier action in the cases related to the seizure of hides and encroachment and attack on Shanti Devi. Praveen Kumar said that the samiti members would meet Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. In the wake of a patient audience today by the Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar the villagers were hopeful of an amicable solution.
Source Tribune India
