RWAs gherao Delhi CM's residence, demand Haroon's dismissal

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Irate over yesterday's horrific incident of a rampaging Bluelines bus ploughing into 17 bystanders in South Delhi, coupled with a rise in such happenings on Delhi roads, Residents Welfare Associations today gheroed the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, demanding the dismissal of Transport Minister Haroon Yousuf.

Alleging inaction on the part of the state Government despite one accident daily by blueline buses, which are issued permits by the transport ministry, the People's action demanded that the Chief Minister either dismiss the Mr Yusuf or tender her resignation owning moral responsibility for yesterday's incident.

Accompanying 100 residents representing RWAs from across the capital were some of the vitims of the previous mishaps caused by the Bluelines. The residents, who began the protest at 0930 hours, blocked the gate of the CM's residence. Eventually, police had to intervene to have the path cleared.

The agitators carried placards, which read "Delhi Government claims Seven Lives" and "How Much Blood You Need to Spill on Roads".

''Two months ago we had protested the Blueline killings as a failure of the management and control, and accused the Minister of dereliction of duty. We had proposed five steps that should be taken immediately to prevent future deaths. But nothing happened. Neither did the Minister resign nor were the steps initiated. The result is there for all to see,'' president of the People's action, Sanjay Kaul said.

''We are demanding the resignation of Mr Yusuf. If that does not happen, the Chief Minister must have the courage to dismiss him, or else resign herself on moral grounds,'' Mr Kaul said.

The RWAs alleged that to avoid meeting the protestors, the Chief Minister escaped from the back door of the residence.

''Despite the RWAs, the NGO representatives and family members of victims asking the CM's staff for a hearing, the CM kept dilly dallying and finally escaped from another gate. This is an indicator of the CM's attitude over the issue,'' the coordinator of the United RWAs joint front Atul Goyal said.

Mr Kaul said despite nearly a 100 people having died in accidents involving blueline buses this year, the state Government was still discussing the issue and not doing anything concrete to tackle the problem.

The RWAs also described as ''irresponsible'' the statement of Ms Dikshit after yesterday's tragedy in which she reportedly advised pedestrians to walk more carefully.

UNI