Himachal Congress woman legislator booked for slapping cop
Shimla: Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh firebrand legislator Asha Kumari was booked on Friday for allegedly slapping a woman constable who was on duty outside the venue of a review meeting being conducted by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi was here for a daylong visit to assess the party's debacle in the recently held assembly elections in the state when the legislator from Dalhousie was allegedly trying to force her way into the venue.
Eyewitnesses said as the constable posted outside the Congress Bhawan tried to stop Asha Kumari, an AICC secretary, she got infuriated and allegedly slapped her.
In retaliation, the constable allegedly slapped her back.
It was on the intervention of others, including legislator and former Cabinet Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, that the tempers were soothed. Another legislator and former Cabinet Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was also accompanying Asha Kumari.
At the time, Gandhi was inside the office, meeting party legislators, defeated party candidates and local leaders to discuss the defeat of the Congress.
Later, Asha Kumari, a former state Education Minister from 2003-05, apologised.
"She (police constable) abused me and pushed me, she should have shown restraint. Yes, I agree I should not have lost my temper. I apologised," she told reporters.
She admitted Gandhi condemned the incident. "Our national president says such incidents should not happen."
Superintendent of Police Saumya Sambasivan told reporters that a case has been registered against the legislator on the complaint of the constable.
The BJP wrested power from the Congress, winning close to a two thirds majority with 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly. The Congress won 21 seats, independents two and the Communist Party of India-Marxist one.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
