The Rampur Tiraha incident saw police fire on unarmed statehood activists heading to Delhi, killing six and leading to widespread violence, including rapes, in 1994
Muzaffarnagar
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday paid tribute to the martyrs of the statehood movement at Shaheed Sthal, Rampur Tiraha, remembering the tragic police firing of October 2, 1994, which remains a “black chapter” in the state’s history.
The Rampur Tiraha incident occurred when unarmed statehood activists were heading to Delhi to stage a dharna at Raj Ghat on Gandhi Jayanti. Police opened fire without provocation at Rampur Tiraha crossing in Muzaffarnagar, killing six activists. Several women were also raped and molested in the chaos. The incident took place under the then Samajwadi Party government led by Mulayam Singh Yadav.
At the tribute ceremony, CM Dhami honoured the sacrifice of martyrs including Ravindra Rawat, Satinder Chauhan, Girish Bhadhri, Rajesh Lakhera, Surya Prakash Thapliyal, Ashok Keshav, and Rajesh Negi. He described the incident as “the most brutal” in Uttarakhand’s statehood struggle. “Even today, remembering the firing and assaults sends shivers down the spine of every Uttarakhand resident,” he said.
Dhami criticised the Samajwadi Party government for “crossing all limits of violence” against peaceful protestors, recalling other police firing incidents at Khatima and Mussoorie in 1994. He said October 2, 1994, will always be remembered in “black letters” in Uttarakhand’s history, symbolising the sacrifices of martyrs, mothers, and sisters for the state’s dignity.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the welfare of movement activists and martyrs’ families, pledging to honour their struggle and safeguard their rights.