Himachal BJP youth wing chief insensitive: Congress

SHIMLA - The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth wing’s new chief Anurag Thakur was insensitive towards a paramilitary trooper when he celebrated his appointment while the funeral of the man, killed by the Maoists, was taking place nearby in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress alleged Friday.

“It’s total insensitivity on part of BJP leader (Anurag) Thakur towards CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan, who was killed in Tuesday’s Maoist attack (in Chhattisgarh),” state Congress chief Kaul Singh Thakur told IANS.

He said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s son and Hamirpur MP Anurag was busy in celebrations organised by the party workers during his first visit to the state Thursday after getting the crucial appointment.

“He celebrated his appointment when the funeral of a jawan was taking place just a stone’s throw from the celebration spot,” he said.

The funeral of Pankaj Bhadiyal took place at Sanot village in Kangra district. Bhadiyal was among the 27 security personnel killed by Maoists.

“If the celebrations were planned in advance, they can be postponed or cancelled as a mark of respect towards the national hero,” said the Congress leader.

However, Anurag visited the martyr’s house after the celebrations were over.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dhumal also visited Bhadiyal’s house and expressed heart-felt sympathies to the bereaved family members.

A government official said Dhumal gave Rs.100,000 as financial assistance to the family from the Chief Minister’s Sainik Welfare Fund.