Three people were injured and around five vehicles were damaged in a clash between Bajrang Dal workers and municipal corporation workers during an anti-encroachment drive in Indore on Wednesday. Officials said that activists of the organization vandalized municipal vehicles at Satyadev Nagar and Datta Nagar around 6.30 am.
Lata Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation, said that the campaign involves removing encroachments and transporting stray cattle in municipal vehicles. Based on the commissioner’s order, we started the investigation in the morning. There are also some shelters which have been constructed without permission. The shelters were removed because there were complaints against them,” she said.
However, Bajrang Dal activists reached the spot and started protesting. When the municipal employees tried to explain the situation to the members of the organization, the protest turned into a physical clash. Both parties are yet to register an official FIR.
VHP’s Pappu Gochale accused municipal employees of animal cruelty, and alleged that they used force to load cattle into vehicles. “They were transporting 15-20 animals in a vehicle for at most seven people,” he claimed. Defending the Bajrang Dal, Gochale said, ‘They misbehaved, we gave a kind reply.
“Indore cowshed is in very good condition and we used to keep cows there…” Deputy Commissioner Agarwal said.
MG Road Police Station Officer Vijay Singh Sisodia, meanwhile, confirmed that 13 animals were sent to Hatod Cowshed in three vehicles under police protection. A 10-member police force was deployed along with the municipal team for security.
Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma later met the injured workers at Selby Hospital and assured them of help. He directed the doctors to arrange proper treatment and addressed the municipal employees who demanded action against the members of the Bajrang Dal who obstructed the work of the office and assaulted the employees. He has warned of protest if action is not taken.
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