Congress expresses concern over land dispute Army and Himachal Government

New Delhi, Apr 15 (ANI): After the Indian Army censured the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) for demanding possession of the 'strategically important' Annandale ground for developing a multipurpose stadium, Congress on Sunday said the simmering land dispute between the state government and the army was a very serious matter.

Speaking to mediapersons in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said that if the Army complained about it to the central government then it would surely probe into the matter.

"It is a very serious matter. The allegation, which is made by the army, is of very serious nature and it appears that corruption is the major issue in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states, whether it is Himachal Pradesh or Karnataka or other states, even Uttarakhand when it was being ruled by BJP.

"It is very serious matter and if army would have written a complaint to the central government I am sure central government would have taken some enquiry or something in this regard," said Alvi.

Favouring the army, Alvi further said that in all its glorious past the Indian army has never indulged in such cases but now they have raised serious doubts on the BJP administration.

"Generally army does not make any allegation like this. If army has issued a statement in this regard, it means something is there," Alvi added.

Anurag Thakur, president of the HPCA and son of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had took out a rally in Shimla on April 7, seeking the ground's transfer to the local administration.

The Army, on its part, had said that the ground was of strategic importance as a forward logistic and operational base for operations in the sector adjoining Himachal Pradesh.

It also added that the country's security couldn't be ignored for any game. (ANI)