Dehradun Police file FIR after Bajrang Dal protest blocks Clock Tower traffic

Dehradun Police registered a case against unidentified individuals after a Bajrang Dal demonstration at the Ghantaghar (Clock Tower) led to an unauthorised blockade and major traffic disruption. Police diverted vehicles and cited Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections covering wrongful confinement, obstructing public servants, disobedience of orders, obstruction in a public way, and public nuisance.

Dehradun Police registered a case against unidentified people on Monday. The case followed a large Bajrang Dal protest near Ghantaghar a day earlier. The demonstrators blocked the Clock Tower area without permission on Sunday. Traffic then backed up across nearby roads. Police moved vehicles through other routes to manage the jam.

SP City Pramod Kumar said traffic stopped fully in the area during the blockade. The disruption led police to divert vehicles away from the Clock Tower stretch. Videos from the scene showed protesters raising slogans during the demonstration. Several women protesters were also seen in the crowd.

Dehradun Police case after Bajrang Dal blockade

The police registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sections included 127 2 for wrongful confinement and 221 for obstructing a public servant. The FIR also cited 223 for disobedience to an order by a public servant. It further included 285 for danger or obstruction in a public way, and 295 for public nuisance.

Footage also showed the crowd confronting a woman riding a scooter. Protesters tried to stop the scooter and asked the rider to join them. When the rider refused, the group attempted to force the rider to get off. The videos also captured continued slogan shouting during the blockade.

Bajrang Dal protest linked to footwear showroom video

The protest took place after a purported video spread widely on social media. It showed a group of Bajrang Dal men creating a ruckus at a footwear showroom. The clip also showed "jihadi\" written on the name tags of two Muslim staffers. The men alleged harassment of Hindu employees at the outlet.

Vikas Verma, Uttarakhand state convenor of the Bajrang Dal, led the group. Vikas Verma claimed the action followed a complaint about the outlet’s manager and co-manager. The complaint alleged harassment of Hindu staffers by those officials. Police said they had not received any such complaint at that time.

SP City Pramod Kumar said, \"We have not received any complaint in the matter. We will take action if anyone approaches the police.\" The FIR named no specific accused and referred to unidentified persons. Police action followed the unauthorised road blockade and its impact on traffic movement near Ghantaghar.

With inputs from PTI