Dhumal condemns police firing on locals in HP

Mandi, Dec 10 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal today condemned the police firing on the villagers, protesting the setting up of the 1,000 MW Karcham Wangto hydel project in Kinnuar district of the state.

''Firing on the peacefully agitating villagers is condemnable,'' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Dhumal also criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his remarks about the welfare of Muslims at the recently concluded National Development Council in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister's remarks that Muslims had the first claim on resources were in view of the forthcoming assembly elections in a few states of the country, he said.

Blaming the Congress party for the present plight of the Muslims in the country, he said the party was to be blamed for they were in power for over half century.

The former chief minister asked Mr Singh not to divide people on the basis of caste, creed and religion and said he should rise above petty politics and think for the better of the society.

The present Congress Government had flouted the concept of the government in continuity by reversing several decisions of the previous government, he said.

The BJP government would also review several anti-people decisions of the present government after coming to power, Mr Dhumal added.

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