Uttarakhand Budget Session begins amid Congress, UKD protests; Police use water cannons in Gairsain

Uttarakhand’s two-day Assembly session began in Gairsain amid protests by the Congress, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and Swaraj Party. Protesters attempted to breach barricades while demanding action on unemployment, women’s safety, corruption and the Ankita Bhandari case, as well as permanent capital status for Gairsain. Police deployed water cannons to disperse protesters, while barricades disrupted traffic, including on the Gairsain-Karnaprayag National Highway. The session also features the state budget.