Political activity intensified in Almora’s Chaukutia area on Tuesday as police stopped members of several parties and organisations travelling towards Gairsain, where the Uttarakhand Assembly session was underway. The restrictions led to heated exchanges between Congress workers and police and affected movement for passengers and local residents.

Members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), Congress and the Chaukutia Gram Pradhan organisation were stopped at Goadi, Bairagaon and Panduwakhal. Congress workers also faced police action in Chaukutia while trying to proceed towards Gairsain.

Why the groups were travelling to Gairsain

Congress workers from Chaukutia and Dwarahat were travelling to Gairsain to demand justice for Ankita Bhandari. UKD workers were marching to press their demand for Gairsain to be declared Uttarakhand’s permanent capital.

Police stopped workers from both groups on the route. The exchanges between the workers and police continued for some time, keeping the area tense during the day.

Village heads were also travelling to Gairsain to present their concerns to the government during the Assembly session. Police detained the village heads in Chaukutia, but released all of them later.

Bhopal Singh Bora, president of the Gram Pradhan organisation, said the village heads wanted to communicate their problems to the government. He alleged that the government had become authoritarian and was not allowing elected representatives to present their views.

Bora said the village heads’ concerns should be heard instead of stopping them. He called on the government to seriously consider their demands and resolve the issues.

Police security and impact on movement

The police and administration had tightened security because of the Assembly session in Gairsain. Police personnel were deployed at major intersections, routes and sensitive locations across the area.

The administration had also prepared 2 temporary jails to deal with any untoward situation. Officers stopped people attempting to travel towards Gairsain at several points, leading to arguments and heightened activity in the area.

The checks and restrictions affected more than the political groups. Passengers travelling towards Gairsain and other local residents faced difficulty because of the repeated stoppages and police presence on the roads.

Conclusion

Police prevented several groups from reaching Gairsain during the Assembly session, while village heads detained in Chaukutia were later released. The action led to exchanges with Congress workers and disrupted travel for passengers and residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where were the groups stopped?

Police stopped members at Goadi, Bairagaon and Panduwakhal, while Congress workers were also stopped in Chaukutia.

Q. Why were Congress workers travelling to Gairsain?

Congress workers from Chaukutia and Dwarahat were travelling to demand justice for Ankita Bhandari.

Q. What demand did the UKD workers raise?

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal workers were demanding that Gairsain be declared Uttarakhand’s permanent capital.

Q. What happened to the village heads?

Police detained the village heads in Chaukutia and later released all of them.

Q. Why was police security increased?

Security was strengthened because the Uttarakhand Assembly session was underway in Gairsain.

Q. How did the restrictions affect residents?

Passengers travelling towards Gairsain and other local residents faced difficulties because of the stoppages and police deployment.