Independent candidate tries to protest delay in air service, held; Pithoragarh

PITHORAGARH: Manoj Kumar Joshi, who is contesting as an independent candidate for the post of chairman in Pithoragarh municipality, was arrested on Wednesday after he tried to enter Naini-Saini airport to protest against delay in start of Pithoragarh-Dehradun and Pithoragarh-Pantnagar air services. Joshi was held under section 151 of CrPC (breach of peace).
Joshi had earlier announced that he would not let chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat’s chopper land at the Pithoragarh airstrip.Rawat is in Pithoragarh to campaign in support of BJP candidate Rajendra Singh Rawat.
On Wednesday morning, Joshi tried to enter the airport but was held at the gates and taken to Police Lines, said Shekhar Suyal, circle officer, Pithoragarh.
Joshi was produced before the magistrate and released on personal bond.
The air services were to start from October 24 but were delayed yet again. A trial landing last month was also declared successful by the government.
Joshi told TOI, “I was going to the air strip to expose the lies of the government. I am only expressing the sentiments of the people.”