Unemployed youths stage demonstration outside R-Day venue

Hisar, Jan 26 (UNI) The three unemployed youth who had allegedly given bribes for securing jobs today staged a demonstration about half a km from the Mahavir stadium here, where Cooperatives Minister Meena Mandal was the chief guest on the occasion of Republic Day.

The three youths-- Prashant, Ramesh and Ram Niwas, alongwith their relatives, friends and some BJP leaders demanded the dismissal of the minister as they had failed to get government jobs even after paying bribes.

With placards in their hands, the three youths demanded that the Rs five lakh which each of them had paid be returned to them.

Shouting slogans against the minister, they claimed that they had paid the amount to the two brothers of the minister for securing government jobs.

A heavy police force had been deployed in the vicinity of the stadium to prevent the demonstrators from entering the Republic Day venue.

Jitendar Jog, a BJP leader who was also present demanded a high level probe into the bribery episode and asked the government to give justice to the three youths.

After the Republic Day function ended, the police changed the exit route of the minister so as to avoid any form of confrontation with the protestors. The police did not permit the demonstrators to move towards the function venue.

The three youths had yesterday lodged a complaint with the police and the Hisar SP has asked a DSP to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by the youngsters. The youths have submitted CDs to the police and the media wherein the kin of the minister are shown telling the three to wait for some more time for the refund of their money.

The youths had told the media that they had taken private loans at exorbitant interest rates to pay for the jobs.

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