Who set 12 Rehris on fire?

Rath lodges FIR after man alleges his involvement, on Facebook

SUMIT SHARMA

JAMMU : Twelve rehries were set on fire at Jewel Chowk area Sunday which sparked protest against Traffic Police which locals alleged had committed the arson.

Following the incident, which took place during evening hours, scores of people blocked roads and held protest and demonstration against the traffic police.

The incident has taken place after IGP Traffic Police Basant Rath gave warning to the rehri walas following which his subordinates forced them to leave the place on the plea of traffic congestion.

The protestors, however, raised anti traffic police slogans and alleged that the incident took place at the behest of senior traffic police officer. However, to probe the issue, Nowabad police have lodged an open case under section 436,147 RPC. IGP Jammu Zone, SDS Jamwal, when contacted, told The News Now that the incident would be looked into.

The incident had attracted intention of politicians. Yudh Vir Sethi, the BJP stalwart, and husband of MoS Education Priya Sethi, expressed his grief over the incident. He said that Rath also damaged rehris of poor people in city following which he lodged complaint with the DGP SP Vaid telephonically.

Meanwhile, the latest development took place when one Lokesh Dhar posted some photographs of the rehari burning incident and alleged that IGP Traffic Basant Rath set the rehris on fire.

The Facebook post by Dhar read as “Dictatorship takes another turn, rehris of local vandors set on fire by IGP Traffic Basant Rath at Jewel Chowk. He is suffering…this is disgusting and unacceptable.”

As soon as his post went viral, the IGP Traffic Basant Rath in his reaction lodged a complaint against Dhar in Police Station Gandhi Nagar.

Later, Rath also posted on his facebook account about the same.

“Friends, I’ve lodged a complaint against Lokesh Dhar in Gandhi Nagar police station. I intend to make him pay a price for his mischief”.