Activists protest during spl assembly session, demand justice in Rishikesh murder case

Dehradun: Social activists and members of the Nyay Yatra Sayukta Sangharsh Manch staged a protest on Tuesday during the Uttarakhand government’s special assembly session on the Women’s Reservation Bill, alleging delay in justice for the Rishikesh resort murder victim and inaction against the accused even after three years.Kamla Pant, a forum member, accused the government of “pretending to be pro-women” through the one-day ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ session, while failing to act against the culprits. “More than three years have passed, but the VIP accused are still roaming free, even posing for photographs with the chief minister,” she said.Protesters alleged the government was shielding the accused. Nirmala Bisht, another member, said, “The BJP government should be ashamed. Despite crimes against women, the VIP accused continue to move freely with party leaders.”The demonstrators attempted to gherao the assembly, calling the session a “political farce.” They warned of intensifying the agitation if arrests were not made, threatening to gherao BJP office-bearers.Police stopped the march near Rispana Bridge with barricades, leading to brief scuffles. Protesters then sat on the road, raising slogans against the government. “Justice delayed is justice denied. The family has been waiting for three years,” Pant added.