Congress party workers staged a strong protest in Dehradun on Friday. They demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic suicide of a farmer from Kashipur. The 40-year-old farmer had recorded a video before his death. In it, he directly blamed police officials for mental harassment and inaction.
Protest March and Gherao of Police Headquarters
Led by state Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, the protesters began their march from the party's state office on Rajpur Road. They then moved towards the police headquarters and gheraoed the building. The demonstration aimed to pressure authorities into taking immediate action.
Key Demands Presented to DGP
The Congress delegation met with Director General of Police Deepam Seth during the protest. They submitted a formal memorandum outlining their demands. The primary request was for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the farmer's death.
Other important demands included:
- Immediate removal of Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manikant Mishra from his post
- Registration of a formal case against SSP Mishra
- Arrest of all individuals accused in the matter
Political Leaders Voice Their Concerns
Ganesh Godiyal spoke forcefully about the situation. He stated that law and order in Uttarakhand has been deteriorating for some time. The farmer's suicide in Kashipur represents a clear example of this decline. According to Godiyal, police administration harassment and arrogance of power forced the farmer to take his own life. This action destroyed an entire family.
Yashpal Arya provided additional details about the case. He revealed that the farmer specifically named SSP Manikant Mishra in his pre-suicide video. The farmer alleged that the officer's support for land mafias left him with no option but suicide. Arya expressed serious concern that Mishra remains in his position despite these allegations.
"It is deeply troubling that the same SSP accused of forcing the farmer to commit suicide has formed the Special Investigation Team to examine the case," Arya remarked.
Former Chief Minister Adds His Voice
Former chief minister Harish Rawat joined the chorus of criticism. He declared that the Congress party will not remain silent on this issue. The party will continue fighting until justice is delivered to the farmer's grieving family.
Background of the Farmer's Plight
The farmer's family has shared distressing details about his ordeal. They claim police ignored multiple complaints after he was cheated in a land deal. The financial loss amounted to approximately four crore rupees.
In a Facebook Live video before his death, the farmer expressed complete loss of faith in the justice system. He explained that false cases were being used to pressure him into accepting a compromise. This systematic harassment allegedly pushed him toward his final desperate act.
Government Response and Actions Taken
Following the suicide, authorities have taken some disciplinary measures. Two police personnel, including a station house officer, received suspensions. Additionally, ten policemen and another ten personnel posted at the Paiga outpost under ITI were transferred to Police Lines in Rudrapur.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry. Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat will conduct this investigation. A Special Investigation Team has also been constituted to probe the case thoroughly.
Congress Rejects Current Actions as Insufficient
Despite these steps, Congress leaders maintain their demand for SSP Mishra's suspension. They argue that penalizing only junior officials will not address the core problem. The party insists that higher-ranking officers must be held accountable for their alleged roles in this tragedy.
The protest in Dehradun highlights growing public concern about police conduct and farmer welfare in Uttarakhand. As investigations continue, political pressure mounts for transparent and impartial justice.
