UP BJP MP’s security men beat up toll plaza staff

Agra:  Even before the controversy over its Madhya Pradesh MLA Akash Vijayvargiya could completely settle down, another Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker has hit the headlines for misbehaving with toll plaza staff in Uttar Pradesh.

The scene of BJP MP from Etawah, Ram Shankar Katheria, looking on as his security staff beat up a toll plaza employee and fire in the air, was captured on CCTV cameras and the video clip has gone viral on social media.

The toll plaza staff has lodged a complaint against the MP and his security personnel at the Etmadpur police station. Agra’s Senior Superintendent of Police Bablu Kumar said an FIR has been registered on the basis of the complaint and the CCTV footage was being studied to find out the truth.

Sources said that trouble began when the toll plaza employee asked for payment for all the vehicles in the MP’s convoy on the inner ring road in Agra.

SSP Agra, Bablu Kumar: A case has been registered in the case, action is being taken. Strict action will be taken against the people involved in the incident. https://t.co/mLct7wKXSb

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 6, 2019

On the other hand, Katheria, who is also Chairman of the SC/ST Commission, has blamed the toll plaza employees and some unidentified criminals of attacking him and his party workers.

Katheria’s representative Sharad Chauhan alleged that some 8-10 persons had attacked the MP and party workers at the toll plaza. Sensing threat to their lives, the security guards opened fire.

The toll plaza staffers, however, presented a contrary story, accusing the MP and his followers of violence and arrogant behaviour.

The BJP leadership in the state refusing to get involved. Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who was in the city, told reporters that facts were being ascertained and an inquiry would be conducted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed party leaders for misbehaving in reference to the Vijayvargiya incident after which the BJP issued a show cause notice to the lawmaker, son of senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Published on: July 6, 2019 at 14:35 IST

IANS