Gadkari criticises Anirudh, associates for attack on NHAI officials, seeks action
The attack on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials here yesterday by an unruly mob has snowballed into a major controversy. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has criticised Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh for his involvement in the alleged assault.
Gadkari, in a tweet on ‘X’, said that the alleged attack by the Panchayati Raj Minister and his associates on Achal Jindal, Manager (Technical), NHAI, and Site Engineer Yogesh was highly reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law. “Such a brutal attack on a public servant performing his official duties not only endangers individual safety but also erodes institutional integrity,” he wrote.
In a letter written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Gadkari urged him to order an impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime were brought to justice. He also asked the Chief Minister to provide security and protection to the NHAI officials working in Himachal Pradesh.
Gadkari also spoke with Sukhu and regretted that the attack happened in the presence an SDM and police officials.
The Chief Minister, while reacting to an FIR registered against the Panchayati Raj Minister, said that the matter would be inquired into. “The guilty will not be spared,” he added.
Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur criticised Anirudh Singh for his alleged involvement in the attack on the NHAI officials. “The Central Government is extending all possible help to Himachal in the expansion of roads, bridges and railways,” he said. He demanded a clarification from the Chief Minister stating that how could employees feel safe in Himachal in this kind of environment when ministers and his men were allegedly thrashing officials.
Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI, has also written to state Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and demanded a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Yesterday, a mob at the site of a building collapse at Bhattakuffer on the outskirts of Shimla city had assaulted two NHAI officials, accusing them of endangering their houses due to reckless digging for the construction of a road. There had been several incidents in the past when locals had objected to unscientific and reckless cutting of hills by the NHAI in the state. The issue had also echoed in the Vidhan Sabha and MLAs across party lines had supported the protesting people and condemned the indifferent behaviour of the Central agency engaged in road construction.
Guilty will be punished, CM tells Union Minister
- In a letter written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Gadkari urged him to order an impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime were brought to justice
- The Chief Minister, while reacting to an FIR registered against the Panchayati Raj Minister, said that the matter would be inquired into and the guilty would not be spared
Himachal Tribune