Haryana government puts anniversary bash on hold

CHANDIGARH: A mega celebration in Sonipat to mark one year of the Nayab Singh Saini government , scheduled for Friday, has been put on hold in view of the deepening tensions over the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, multiple sources told TOI on Monday PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to address the 'Jan Vishwas-Jan Vikas' rally.

Protests following the IPS officer's suicide and growing support of opposition parties and Dalit pressure groups for his wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, were casting long shadows on the event. According to sources, the decision to postpone the event was taken after CM Nayab Singh Saini and chief secretary Anurag Rastogi chaired a meeting to review arrangements at the Sonipat venue.

After the meeting, the CM set off for New Delhi by road where he would have stayed for the night and met dignitaries the next day. He was also due to attend a programme in Nuh on Tuesday.

But Saini cut short his tour midway and returned to Chandigarh at night. "Officers were supposed to attend a briefing by central officers from SPG and other agencies. We have been informed to put it on hold. We are awaiting final official confirmation," a senior govt official told TOI on Monday night.

The event was being overshadowed by deepening tension over the IPS officer's suicide, and allegations in his 'final note' that casteist harassment by senior officers drove him to take the extreme step. His famly has also alleged caste-based harassment.