Kejriwal supporters clash with cops

Drama unfolds outside Haryana chief minister B S Hoodas Delhi residence

 About 150 India Against Corruption supporters demonstrated outside Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s house at Pandit Pant Marg in New Delhi on Sunday against the state government’s role in Robert Vadra-DLF land deal.

They were protesting against the Haryana government for allegedly favouring and facilitating land deals between Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and real estate company DLF.

None of senior members of IAC were present. A clash erupted between the supporters and police when they used batons to disperse the crowd. The injured — supporters and police officials — were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where Arvind Kejirwal visited later.

The protesters assembled near Gol Dakhana at around 1 pm. They shouted slogans against the Haryana government and marched towards Hooda's house, where police had erected barricades. They breached the first barricade and when they tried to cross the second one, police started lathicharge and used water cannons to disperse them.

The supporters were detained and taken to Parliament Street police station. Police officials said the protestors were trying to enter Hooda’s house so they were forced to use to water cannons to disperse the crowd. They denied the use of baton.

Police filed a case against supporters under various sections. Kejriwal condemned police’s action in a press conference on Sunady evening. “Police’s atrocity on peaceful protest is condemnable” said Kejriwal. He added that the Haryana government has been harassing an official who was looking into land scams. He said an IAS officer’s — Ashok Khemkha — transfer order was issued three days after he asked for an inquiry into business dealings between DLF and Vadra.

 “There a clear nexus between Haryana Government, DLF and Robert Vadra over land deals, however, Haryana government denied,” said
Kejriwal.

Meanwhile, Naveen Jaihind, IAC member from Haryana, who led the protest march to Hooda’s residence said, “We were demanding to meet Haryana CM and marching on the street when police used tear shells, water cannons and batons on us.”