Amidst the ongoing legislative assembly proceedings in Bhararisain (Gairsain) in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the police used water cannons for the second time to stop UKD and Congress party workers who were staging a protest at Junglechatti on the Gairsain-Diwalikhal road.
उत्तराखंड के भराड़ीसैंण विधानसभा सत्र के दौरान हंगामा, विपक्ष ने बैरियर तोड़े, पुलिस ने वाटर कैनन चलाया
Uttarakhand: The commencement of the Legislative Assembly session in Bhararisain brought added challenges for the administration due to protests. Near the barricades at Jangalchatti—on the main route leading to the Assembly—members of the ‘Pradhan Sangathan’ (Village Heads’ Association), Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), and Swaraj Abhiyan staged a demonstration. The protesters voiced their demands on the road, effectively blocking the path toward the Assembly. This disrupted the movement of officials, staff, and media personnel heading to the session, with many facing significant delays due to the resulting traffic congestion. The police struggled to manage the flow of traffic, which remained severely affected, and ultimately took several protesters into custody.
Protesters voice their concerns: During the demonstration at Jangalchatti on the first day of the Assembly session, various organizations presented their grievances to the government. Some highlighted the unaddressed demands of the Gram Pradhans (village heads), while others reiterated the call to designate Gairsain as the permanent capital. Additionally, some protesters questioned the decision to limit the Assembly session to just two days, arguing that more time is required to deliberate on critical issues facing the state. These protests created significant pressure on the access route to the Assembly even before the session officially began, leading to widespread traffic disruption.
‘Pradhan Sangathan’ accuses the government of breaking promises
Anand Singh Chauhan, president of the Pradhan Sangathan, stated that the organization has long been advocating for its 10-point list of demands. According to him, the village heads have been actively pursuing these issues for the past six months, yet no concrete decision has been reached. Chauhan alleged that during a previous march to the Secretariat, the administration had assured them that their demands would be met; however, the situation remains largely unchanged. He noted that while the Gram Pradhans continue to receive repeated assurances, their underlying problems remain unresolved. Issues related to MGNREGA and demands such as an increase in the honorarium for Pradhans (village heads) are among the key concerns of the organization.
Serious allegations by the Pradhan organization
Suresh Uniyal, Vice-President of the Pradhan organization, accused the government of neglecting the interests of the Pradhans. He stated that after their repeated demands went unheeded, the organization was compelled to resort to protest. Uniyal also questioned the duration of the Legislative Assembly session, arguing that a two-day session is insufficient for a thorough discussion on critical state issues. He demanded a session lasting at least 10 to 15 days to allow for detailed deliberations on matters such as youth employment, violence against women, the Ankita murder case, land laws, the rights of local residents, and the establishment of Gairsain as the permanent capital.
‘Swaraj Abhiyan’ also raises issues of public interest
Suresh Chandra and Ramesh Joshi, representing ‘Swaraj Abhiyan’—who participated in the protest—also objected to the two-day Legislative Assembly session. They argued that it is difficult to hold a meaningful discussion on serious issues affecting the state’s population within such a short timeframe. According to them, topics such as unemployment, violence against women, the Ankita murder case, land laws, and minimum wages for laborers require extensive debate between the government and the opposition. The protesters alleged that the short duration of the Assembly session leaves insufficient time to address the concerns of the public. They further questioned the government’s style of functioning, asserting that issues concerning the people of the state should be given priority.
Renewed demand for Gairsain as the permanent capital: Activists from the ‘Uttarakhand Kranti Dal’ (UKD), who were protesting at Jangalchatti, demanded that Gairsain be made the permanent capital. They emphasized that Gairsain is deeply connected to the sentiments of the statehood movement, and the demand for it to become the permanent capital has been long-standing. UKD activists asserted that the development of the hill regions, the rights of local inhabitants, and the resolution of challenges faced by the mountain areas must be among the state’s top priorities. They also shared their views regarding the development of Gairsain, stating that the government must reach a clear decision on the issue of the state capital.
Police worked to manage traffic amidst the protests.
Police personnel were deployed to maintain security and traffic flow during the Legislative Assembly session; however, they were kept busy managing the situation due to protests by various organizations near the barricades at Jangalchatti. The obstruction of the route hindered the movement of vehicles heading toward the Assembly. Officials, staff, and members of the media also faced difficulties at the site. The traffic system remained under significant strain due to persistent congestion. These protests, occurring on the very first day of the Assembly session, have once again brought to the fore the demands of village heads (gram pradhans), the call to establish Gairsain as the permanent state capital, and other issues of public interest within the state.
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