Ramlila participants protest against land mafia

Varanasi, Sep 15(ANI): The members of a Ramlila committee protested against the land mafias in front of the Varanasi District Office on Tuesday for illegally capturing their land.

The protestors were dressed as characters from the Ramlila and alleged that their land was illegally taken over by the mafias.

"Due to this our traditions are now in question. We have the capability of going to the Legislative Assembly to stage our protest. We do not care if they fire bullets on us. The people of Kashi dressed as Ravan and Hanuman will go and protest if our demands are not met here. Although on the fifth day of Navratri (a Hindu festival) we will reach the Legislative Assembly," said Vikram Bhardwaj, Head of the Ramlila Committee.

The members marched all the way to the District Office shouting slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram'.

Meanwhile, the Additional District Magistrate, Atal Kumar Rai, addressed the protestors and has promised to do the needful.

"In this regard we have informed the concerned officials and demanded a complete investigation of the matter. If the accusations by the committee members are proved right then the perpetrators will be punished and the land which has been illegally captured will be returned to the committee," Rai said.

According to the committee members, the land captured by the mafias is holy to the residents of Varanasi and urged the District Officials to look into the matter as soon as possible. (ANI)