Dehradun, March 27 (IANS): The rebel group of the Congress in Uttarakhand on Sunday welcomed the imposition of President's Rule in the hill state and justified their actions, saying that what they did was for the people of the state.

Former chief minister and leader of the rebel group Vijay Bahuguna welcomed the development, saying the Centre was forced to take this decision because there was "murder of democracy" in the hill state.

He added the state was in the grip of mafias and there was high-level corruption in excise and other government departments.

"I welcome the step. I am sure that probe would be held on corruption charges against the Harish Rawat government," he told IANS.

Bahuguna, however, was of the view that the central rule should not be in force for a long period.

Satpal Maharaj, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Uttarakhand, welcomed the imposition of President's Rule and said the sting operation against Rawat was the last nail in the coffin of the Congress government in the state.