The state secretary of Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress, OP Thakur was arrested after some derogatory statements against the Prime Minister were found written on the walls in Nahan, which is about 86km away from the state capital, Simla.
The objectionable slogans were found on the walls of Mehlat, Mahima library and Shimla road area here. Police checked the CCTV footage and Thakur was arrested after registering a case under sections of Prevention of damage to public property Act 1984 and section 426 of IPC (mischief), an official said.
The leader was, however, later released on bail but the arrest triggered protests against police action, which the Congress alleged was taken under pressure from BJP.
The state president, Manish Thakur, accompanied by the workers, assembled at Congress Bhawan and took out a protest march. They went to the office of Superintendent of Police, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state government and the local BJP MLA.
Protesters also demanded an immediate release of their leader and withdrawal of the case.
Youth Congress workers also took out a protest march in Sangrah, and submitted a memorandum to the Sub-divisional Magistrate, Sangrah, demanding an immediate release of their leader.
Meanwhile, District BJP President Viney Gupta and several other party functionaries condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the culprit.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sirmour, Virender Singh Thakur told PTI that the arrested youth Congress leader has been released on a bail. However, investigation in the matter will continue.
