BJP National Secretary Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is contesting bypolls from the Doiwala Assembly constituency, has alleged that the State is under the grip of mining mafia. Recently, members of the mining mafia attacked villagers who dared to challenge illegal mining activity is Shergarh area Dehradun, and police has lodged counter FIR against the victim in place of the alleged mining mafia.
To protest against the Police, who have meekly surrendered before the mining mafia, hapless victims tried to immolate themselves outside the Doiwala Police station on July 19 evening. "Even Congress leaders have threatened me to stop venoming against the CM Harish Rawat; otherwise you may be send behind bars by lodging fake FIR against you."
"It reminds one of 1990 when Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh and mining mafias were dominating here and now again, mafia are brandishing guns against their opponent," Rawat said. Rawat further alleged that these mafias are being patronised by the State Government, especially chief minister Harish Rawat. He also said that to influence the voters, CM Rawat has called cabinet meeting and planning to make announcement on Sunday. It has raised question mark over the CM's intention.
Rawat said that mining mafias are very active in the State. It seems either they are greasing the palms of their political master or they don't have fear of the law enforcement agency. Such activity has increased for the last one and half months.
Even they have been attacking their opponent in Dehradun and Gola. It has become regular feature of the state. Even incumbent cabinet minister has accepted that minister and influential people are directly involved into illegal mining. Now the minister is planning to meet Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Ambika Soni to apprise her about the prevailing situation of the State.
For instance, a few days ago, when Shergarh village residents opposed illegal mining activity, their verbal fight turned violent and they opened fire against the irked villagers in which one preson received bullet injury on his leg and other's teeth got broken. When they approached the police, they lodged a case and put minor section against the alleged mafia. Even they released them on bail as well. later, Police lodged a counter case against the innocent villager who received injuries during verbal fight.
Realising that they would not get justice, they tried to immolate themselves outside the Doiwala police station on July 19. Rawat alleged that Congress leaders have advised him to stop challenging the chief minister Harish Rawat, otherwise, "you may be put behind bars by loding fake FIR against you". He further alleged that all such things are happening on the instruction of chief minsiter Rawat.
Ironically, Uttarakhand was formed by the BJP to save the State from the mafia. After inception of the State, GMVN and KMVN were given authority to conduct mining in Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Even liquor was being sold through these two corporation only."Besides it, they have conducted mining under the disguise of cleaning of Rispana river. These are the enough evidence, which ascertain my claim that all above activities are being patronised by the State Government."