Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday blamed the Students Federation of India (SFI) for inciting violence in Shimla, resulting in a police raid in its office and arrest of its activists. “A SFI delegation came to meet me in my office over its demands. After they (SFI members) left the office, they started pelting stones at police,” the Chief Minister informed the Assembly.
Raising the issue after question hour, BJP member Suresh Bhardwaj said SFI activists were beaten up by police (on Wednesday) and some of them received injuries during their protest outside the Assembly against fee hike. The CM said when they came to meet him they were carrying rucksacks filled with stones and flags.
“There was a clash (between SFI activists and police) and the CPI-M office is located near the spot. Three activists entered the office after the clash. Police entered afterwards to arrest them,” he said. “We have cordial relations with the CPI-M. It’s our sister party,” he said. Singh said that nobody is above the law. “If anyone breaks the law, action will be initiated accordingly.”
leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said it was sad that the office of a political party was attacked. “There should be no attack on any party’s office, be it the BJP or the CPI-M or the Congress,” he said. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Kalyan Singh, saying the students were chased and mercilessly beaten up.