Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticized the law and order situation in Uttarakhand, citing the recent murder of a retired army officer in Dehradun.
In a post on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, “The brutal murder of retired Brigadier VK Joshi in broad daylight while he was out on a morning walk in Dehradun clearly shows that the law and order situation in Uttarakhand has completely collapsed. People who dedicated their lives to protect the country at the border are now unsafe in their own cities. Common citizens and many communities are forced to live in fear.”
He further alleged that the situation has become worse under the rule of the present state government.
He said, “Under BJP rule, only criminals roam without fear. Our Uttarakhand, which was once known for peace and security, has been reduced to the shadow of violence, murder and fear under the irresponsible leadership of BJP.”
Earlier on Monday, retired Army Brigadier Mukesh Kumar Joshi was killed by a stray bullet fired during a street clash between two groups in Rajpur area while he was out on a morning walk, according to police.
Speaking to ANI, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobal said that four people have been arrested in the incident, while three people from the other group are absconding. Apart from this, both the vehicles involved in the incident have been taken into custody by the police.
The SSP further said that the people involved in the firing were at the “Gen Z” club last night, where they had an altercation with the club staff over the bill, in which a group of people were beaten up by the club members.
In response, when the club operators closed the premises this morning and left, the same youth followed them. The situation worsened in Johari village, where an argument between them escalated into firing.
Police have sealed the club located on Mussoorie Road and arrested the club owner. The police have also sent a recommendation to the District Magistrate to cancel the license of the club.
The SSP has assured strict action against all the accused involved in the case.
He said, “Police will take action against all the accused, whether direct or indirect. The police have registered a case in this matter on the basis of the complaint lodged by the relatives of the deceased.”
