Youth Congress President Among 7 Detained During Hunger Strike in Valsad

Seven Youth Congress workers, including state unit president Mit Desai, were detained in Valsad on Thursday after a protest over alleged government-funded construction of a bridge and protection wall on private land led to a confrontation with police.

Protest Over Bridge Construction

The Youth Congress had organised a hunger strike near the Valsad Collector’s office, alleging irregularities in the construction of a bridge and protection wall at Vishary using public funds on private land.

The party had earlier submitted a memorandum to the district Collector seeking clarification on the issue and had given the administration a 24-hour deadline. Congress leaders said no satisfactory response was received.

The protesters were demanding the formation of a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the allegations.

Police Detain Protesters

The protest had barely begun when a police team reached the site and told the activists that permission for the demonstration had not been granted.

The Youth Congress leaders maintained that permission had been sought but not granted by the authorities. A heated exchange followed between the protesters and police, after which seven activists, including Mit Desai, were detained.

The police action triggered further tension at the protest site, with Congress leaders questioning the manner in which the demonstration was stopped.

Congress Raises Five Demands

The Youth Congress has submitted five key demands in connection with the bridge construction controversy.

It has sought a state-level SIT probe into the alleged corruption, along with a forensic examination of documents and correspondence submitted by the gram panchayat regarding the bridge.

The party has also demanded official clarification over an undertaking reportedly given by the private landowner concerning the government's proposed acquisition of 6,300 square metres of land.

Congress has further called for all information relating to the bridge proposal and its present status to be made public through a press conference, besides strict action against officials and political leaders found responsible for any alleged misuse of public funds.

Banners Torn Down During Detention

The situation became more heated when police personnel allegedly removed and tore down banners put up at the protest site while detaining the activists.

Congress leaders Dharmesh Patel, known as Bhola, and Girish Desai were among those involved in heated exchanges with police officers.

Following the incident, protesters raised slogans against the police and the BJP, accusing the authorities of attempting to suppress their demonstration.

The police action and the detention of the seven activists have since become a talking point in Valsad's political circles, with the Congress questioning the handling of a protest it says was organised over alleged misuse of public money.