IAS officers' 'strike' being instigated by BJP: Kejriwal
New Delhi, June 16: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that IAS officers were under pressure and their "strike" was being instigated by the BJP.
Kejriwal, who has garnered support from opposition parties including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Telugu Desam Party, CPI and CPI-M, also attacked the Congress and said: "Rahul Gandhi should clear his stand if he is with the BJP or the people of Delhi."
In an interview to CNN News, he also claimed that his government does not enjoy as much power as former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit did.
"I do not even have the power to transfer a peon, but Dikshit had the power to transfer the officers and even to arrest them on corruption charges," he said.
Accusing the BJP of "instigating" the IAS strike, he said: "BJP is forcing the officers to continue the strike. The party is under pressure as the AAP government in Delhi is working hard. I am here for the people of Delhi and will ensure that things will change."
Kejriwal, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and cabinet ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai, has been camping in the Raj Niwas -- the official accommodation-cum-office of Lt Governor -- since Monday evening.
"We are here for past six days. We are sitting here in helplessness. The IAS officers in Delhi are on a strike for past three months. They are coming to the office to clear files. There are not taking part in any official meetings. They don't pick up phones, reply to our texts even in emergency situations. They don't come for field inspections with the ministers. A government cannot function like this. We are sitting here to end that strike," he added.
On the accusation that his strike has paralyzed the governance, he said: "The government is not functioning due to the IAS strike and not due to our sit-in. We are compelled to take this step."
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Sambhal violence: Protesters to pay for damage to property, posters of 'stone pelters' to be put up
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government will make protesters involved in the Sambhal violence pay for damage to public property while posters of "stone pelters" will be displayed at public places, an official said on Wednesday.
Four people died and scores, including police personnel, were injured in Sambhal on Sunday after a confrontation erupted over a court-ordered survey of the city's Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.
"The UP government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. A reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest," an official spokesperson said.
In a similar initiative, the government had previously put up posters of individuals linked to vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in 2020. These posters were displayed across several locations, including the state capital, but were later removed following a court order.
The violence in Sambhal erupted on Sunday when a large crowd gathered near a mosque and began chanting slogans as a survey team resumed its work. The situation escalated when the protesters clashed with security personnel, set vehicles on fire, and pelted stones.
So far, police have arrested 25 individuals and registered seven FIRs, which include charges against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of the party's local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and over 2,750 unidentified suspects.
A magisterial probe is underway, and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi stated on Monday that the situation was now under control. He assured that "strict action will be taken against those responsible for the unrest."
