In a dramatic turn of events, protestors from Almora who had recently undertaken a foot march to Dehradun have decided to intensify their agitation after inconclusive talks with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The protest, led by ex-serviceman Bhuvan Kateet, has now entered a critical stage, with demonstrators declaring that their movement, so far peaceful, may soon take an “undemocratic” turn if their demands remain unfulfilled.
Our correspondent reports that after returning from Dehradun, the agitators and local residents held a strategy meeting on Thursday to plan the future course of the movement. During the meeting, the marchers shared their experiences of discussions held with the Chief Minister and expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s response.
According to Bhuvan Kateet, the Chief Minister conveyed his inability to meet the demands immediately and sought six months’ time for consideration. However, the protestors stated that their movement has already been continuing for more than a month without any concrete government action. Kateet asserted that the government must clarify what steps will be taken after six months and provide an official explanation.
The protest leader accused the administration of trying to suppress their agitation during their stay in Dehradun, but said the group remained firm in its resolve. “Our movement has been peaceful and democratic till now, but if the government continues to ignore us, it will no longer remain democratic. The responsibility will rest entirely with the administration,” Kateet warned.
Around 40 protestors have registered their names to begin an indefinite hunger strike, signalling a sharper escalation of the movement. The protest committee announced that the agitation would be intensified until all demands are met.
The demonstrators, comprising local residents and foot march participants, reiterated that their struggle represents the voice of common citizens seeking fair governance and justice. They emphasised that the government’s delay in addressing legitimate grievances was testing public patience.
Observers note that this development marks a new phase in the Almora agitation, which has drawn growing attention across Uttarakhand. With the government maintaining that it requires additional time to examine the demands, the next few weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether dialogue can resume or confrontation deepens.
The movement’s leadership maintains that they remain open to communication but will continue their protest through lawful means until there is visible progress. However, Thursday’s meeting reflected rising frustration and a sense of urgency among participants.
As tension simmers, administrative authorities are monitoring the situation closely, fearing that a prolonged standoff could disrupt normal life in the region.
