Herald: Cong protests at HP's Ridge, defies prohibitory orders

Accusing the NDA government of pursuing vendetta politics in the National Herald case, Congress leaders and workers in Himachal Pradesh today carried out a "silent" march towards Ridge Maidan with black bands tied around their mouths, defying prohibitory orders.
Congress activists, led by Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu, marched from state party headquarters at Rajiv Bhawan to Ridge Maidan and squatted under Mahatma Gandhi's statue.
Cabinet ministers Vidya Stokes, Kaul Singh, Sudhir Sharma, Dhani Ram Shandil and Anil Sharma, AICC secretary Raja Rampal, party office bearers and other prominent leaders remained at the Ridgefor more than an hour but dispersed after police warned them twice.

Cases have been registered against Congress activists for defying prohibitory orders, DSP Bhajan Negi said adding that investigations are in progress.
Later, a delegation of Congress led by Sukkhu submitted a memorandum with the state government, accusing the Narendra Modi dispensation of "wreaking vengeance" on the opposition leaders, especially the leaders of Congress party.
They alleged that the National Herald case was "false, politically motivated and a part of vicious campaign started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Meanwhile, state unit of the BJP dubbed the Congress protest as 'tamasha' (commotion) and said that instead of raking up the issue on the streets, the Congress should fight the case in the court.

"Congress is unnecessarily blaming the NDA government, ignoring the fact that summons had been issued by Patiala House Court and it should defend its leaders legally," BJP's chief party spokesman Ganesh Dutt said.
Dutt also criticised the police for remaining a mute spectator while Congress activists staged protest at the Ridge Bridge, defying prohibitory orders.