Congress refuses to vacate office

Shimla, July 13 (UNI) The Congress party office bearers and workers today refused to give away the possession of the party office premises to the owner of the building, who had come with the warrant of possession in the wake of a decree passed in his favour.

A scuffle reportedly took place between the owner and Congress workers and later both General Secretary and state party spokesman Kuldeep Singh Rathore and owner of the building Narinder Bansal, ''Kartar'' of Ms Salig Ram Nand Kishore, lodged complaints with the police.

Mr Rathore said since HPCC president Viplove Thakur had been operated upon and office secretary, Amarnath Bazwaria, were not in the office, it was not possible to vacate the office.

He alleged Mr Bansal and his men misbehaved and manhandled him even after he requested them to sort out the matter by discussion as the time given for execution of orders was till July 27.

''We have every respect for the court orders. And in no way we should prevent their execution. But its a political office and we need some time to wind up records. Its no way that you come with 15 khans suddenly and try to take out the things lying in the office,'' commented another general secretary of Congress, Shimla MLA, Harbhajan Singh Bhajji.

However, Mr Bansal accused the Congress general secretary and other party workers of roughing him up and bolting the baillifs in a room and sought police protection.

He said since there was no reason for them to stay there and then they returned without getting the possession of the building.

UNI XC AS MSJ HS2133