local police prevented suspended Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Amitabh Thakur from sit-on dharna in front of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s official residence in the state capital over alleged discrimination’ by the government.
Thakur was blocked by police personnel when he tried to move towards the CM’s residence on Kalidas Marg. Officers on duty claimed that as there is section 144 imposed in the area hence no dharna will be allowed there. However, a drama was in-acted at the entry point of the CM’s residence, when the suspended IPS sat as a symbolic protest on the road for about 10 minutes.
later talking to reporters on the spot, the IPS officer announced that he will now move the court against the violation of his Constitutional rights to sit on dharna. Commenting on the discrimination over his suspension, Thakur said ,”If the government can reinstate lucknow DIG D K Chaudhury within 15 days of suspension on serious charges of unwarrantedly slapping an old man then why not meIJ” Thakur had already sent an email to DGP Javeed Ahmed in this regard stating that he was suspended in July 2015 merely for having raised his voice against injustice and has been kept in suspension till date, while the suspension order has become illegal after not being renewed following 90 days mandatory period.
As per Thakur, DK Choudhury was suspended on February 24 after the video became viral and the CM having taken cognisance; not got an inquiry conducted and was immediately reinstated which shows the double standards of the government. “It has become imperative for me to express my inner pain and anguish and hence wanted to sit on dharna near the CM’s residence but the police did not allow me to do so,” Thakur said.