AAP MLA from Kirari Rituraj Govind on Saturday claimed that he was detained by the police for trying to conduct puja at a heritage site along the Yamuna bank, an action which led to clash between two groups, even as the police said that he was called for a “discussion”.
According to Mr Rituraj, he was trying to built a ghat on the occasion of Chhath puja along the Yamuna banks in his constituency. This was objected to by local villagers. He said the construction of ghat was funded by the Delhi Government.
The MLA also claimed that there was minor stonepelting by the a group of villagers, which was also led by a local BJP activist.
“I have been detained for over three hours now,” the MLA said.
However, the police said that it was a discussion and neither was the MLA detained nor arrested.
“He was trying to build a ghat at a heritage property which is not permitted under law.
“He arrived there today and there was tension in the area. We were present at the site and eased the situation. The MLA is there in the Aman Vihar police station because we are trying to explain to him that it is against the provision of law to use the heritage property for Chhath puja,” said a senior police officer.
