Strict action would be taken against those responsible for atrocities on Gaddis in Dharamshala: ST Commission

Dharamshala, August 19, 2017: Members of the National Commission for Schedule Tribes chairman Nand Kumar Sai said that he is surprised , how such incident took place in Dharamshala Himachal, the state which is considered to be more peaceful as compared to many other states in India.
Members of the National Commission for Schedule Tribes lead by chairman Nand Kumar Sai is in Dharamshala for the last two days to probe the alleged lathi charge on Gaddis, a scheduled tribe of Himachal, by the police on 9th of this month. While talking to newsmen, Nand Lal said, “Commission has met the Gaddi Community people and others in Dharamshala. It also met the officials of the state government and visited the incident site. Commission collected the papers, photos and video clips about the incident, and will exam them in Delhi.” Chairman said that police view that protestors manhandled them doesn’t supported by proofs. He said that people are injured, few of them are still in hospitals and the community is under the situation of fear and shock.
“Strict action would be taken against those responsible for atrocities on the Gaddis”, he said. He said, “It is true that the chairman ST Commission post is filled by the ruling party, but when somebody occupies it he remains no more a party man.” He said that Congress party allegation that the Commission is politicizing the 9th August incident is baseless.
It is alleged that the police had resorted to lathi charge after the Gaddis tried to stop the cavalcade of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who had visiting Upper Dharamshala to lay foundation of a development project of Dal Lake. The Gaddis were protesting against the statement of the Chief Minister issued in Una district, against state BJP president Satpal Satti.
Today, the Commission met the district police officers and the DGP in Dharamshala to look in to their version. Chief Secretary was exempted to appear before the Commission, whereas the Home Secretary Himachal is on his way to Dharamshala to appear before Commission in the evening.
The Commission shall return back to Delhi tomorrow morning.