Citizens rally in support of suspended IG

Allahabad, Aug 7 (UNI) A section of citizens here have condemned the ''attempts'' of vested interest to ''malign'' the image of suspended Uttar Pradesh Inspector General (Railways) R N Singh and urged the state government to revoke his suspension.

The signatories Padmshri R S Gahlot, Prof Shri Ballabh, Prof Pradeep Kumar, Dr K S Anandi, Ramdheeraj, Jazar Bakht and Dr Suchet Goindia said a ''public spirited honest police officer'' has been trying voluntarily and single handedly to make 'Sangam' pollution free for the 2007 'Ardh Kumbha Mela'.

On Saturday night, the IG was suspended for sitting on a 'dharna' in front of Bandhava Hanuman Temple near 'Sangam' here alleging assault by the armed aides of Narendra Giri -- the Mahant of Baghambari Gaddi Mutt.

The signatories said Mr Singh had been working to create permanent public assets with the help of grants received to organise the Mela.

Interestingly, the Mahant and the IG are also involved in a dispute pertaining to land of the Mutt.

In a news conference recently, the seer had alleged Mr Singh was pressing him to get registry of a land in the name of his wife. The charge was, however, denied by Mr Singh.

Baghambari Mutt, the oldest mutt of the city, is situated in Allahpur area and owns vast land.

Locals alleged the seer had recently sold some land of the mutt.

The IG wanted an FIR be lodged against the seer.

UNI JL VS PA HT1707