The pitch of protest and condemnation turning shriller, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Raju Maurya announced reward of Rs one lakh to one who breaks Mussoorie MlA Ganesh Joshi's leg, a day after the firebrand legislator had allegedly broken the leg of a mounted police horse by raining lathi blows on it. Condemning it, the UKD leader said that the MlA deserved tit for tat for the heinous crime he had committed against the mute animal.
At another remove, Aam Aadmi Party members also joined the protest, saying the MlA must be adequately punished by way of a deterrent against such an abominable act. The party members assembled at Astley Hall. Venting anger, AAP activist Rajesh Bahuguna said the MlA must not be allowed to get away with the act. The protesters said the Mussoorie MlA had left the State police horse injured in his leg in the presence of the BJP leaders like five MPs and scores of MlAs. “This is unbecoming of an MlA and deterrent punishment should follow,” said Bahuguna, adding that BJP’s claim of theirs being a disciplined party stood exposed.
Chhatra Ekta Manch members protested too and said that the BJP brass remaining mum was conspicuous. They shouted slogans, demanding immediate action against Mussooire MlA. The protesters assembled at Kanak Chowk and rallied to Astley Hall. later, they burnt the effigy of Joshi. The protesters demanded Joshi to be booked under appropriate sections of IPC and be arrested without delay. Among those present were Anil Chandra Baluni, Japendra Singh, Prabhakar Bhatt and Ayush Semwal.