GONDA: Tensions rose in Gonda and Barabanki on Saturday ahead of Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai’s proposed visit to meet the family of deceased Vinod Sahani in Shahpur Rexadia village of Colonelganj. Police action reportedly prevented local Congress leaders from accompanying or receiving the state party chief.
Gonda city Congress president and councillor Shahid Ali Qureshi was placed under house arrest at his residence in the morning, according to party sources. He later managed to reach the Congress Bhawan with colleagues, but police personnel allegedly surrounded the premises and prevented him from leaving.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Congress state president Ajay Rai had been detained by police at the Masौली police station in Barabanki district while travelling towards Gonda.
The proposed visit was aimed at meeting the family of Vinod Sahani, whose death has become a matter of concern for the Congress party. The party has demanded justice for the bereaved family.
Reacting to the police action, Shahid Qureshi described it as an attack on democracy and expressed disappointment over the restrictions imposed on Congress workers.
“This is a conspiracy to suppress the voice of Dalits. We will not be intimidated. We will ensure justice for the victim,” Qureshi said.
The developments triggered criticism among local Congress workers, who questioned the restrictions placed on their leaders ahead of the state president’s visit.
Several party leaders and workers were present at the Gonda Congress Bhawan during the incident, including media in-charge Shiv Kumar Dubey, PCC member Jaleel Khan, state organisational secretary Anees Nana, Shahida Anjum, Backward Classes city president Mohammad Rizwan, Mandal president Sahil Ansari, Ramdeen, Rizwan Ahmed, Dr Jafar, Nirmesh Srivastava, Vijay Maurya and Raju of the Seva Dal.
The Congress has maintained that its leaders’ visit was intended to meet the bereaved family and seek justice. Further details regarding the police action and the status of Ajay Rai’s visit were awaited.
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