Three leaders of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) were detained by the police on Tuesday for allegedly disrupting a meeting of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC). The incident occurred during a heated session where the opposition councillors raised slogans against the mayor over alleged irregularities in the corporation's functioning.
Detention and Charges
The detained CITU leaders have been identified as Rajesh Sharma, Pankaj Gupta, and Sunita Devi. According to the police, they were taken into custody under Section 151 of the CrPC (preventive detention) to maintain law and order. The trio was later released on bail after a few hours. The police have also registered a case against them for creating a ruckus and preventing the smooth conduct of the MC meeting.
Background of the Protest
The disruption occurred when the opposition councillors, led by CITU members, demanded a discussion on the alleged misuse of funds in the Smart City project. The mayor, however, refused to allow the discussion, leading to a verbal altercation. The situation escalated when the protesters started shouting slogans and refused to leave the chamber despite repeated warnings from the chair.
Witnesses said that the meeting had to be adjourned for 30 minutes as the police were called in to restore order. The detained leaders were later produced before a magistrate and released on personal bonds. The MC commissioner has condemned the incident and stated that strict action will be taken against those who disrupt official proceedings in the future.
Political Reactions
The opposition parties, including the Congress and the CPI(M), have criticized the detention, calling it an attack on democratic rights. They have demanded the immediate release of the leaders and an apology from the mayor. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has supported the police action, stating that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands.
The Shimla MC has been witnessing frequent protests over the past few months over issues such as water scarcity, garbage disposal, and alleged corruption in the Smart City project. The latest incident has further strained relations between the ruling party and the opposition within the corporation.
Legal Proceedings
Legal experts say that the detention under Section 151 CrPC is a preventive measure and does not constitute an arrest. However, the opposition claims that the police action was heavy-handed and unnecessary. A senior police officer said that the decision to detain the leaders was taken after they failed to comply with the orders of the presiding officer.
The case has been registered at the Shimla Sadar police station, and investigations are underway. The detained leaders have been asked to appear before the court if required. The MC has also decided to file a complaint against the protesters for trespassing and disrupting the meeting.
