SHIMLA: In a shocking robbery case from Chiva village, Jubbal, a Nepali couple has emerged as part of a gang targeting vulnerable families in the apple belt.
The duo reportedly drugged a local family and decamped with precious items, raising concerns over the unchecked employment of migrant laborers in the region.
The incident occurred a few days ago when the Nepali couple, whose background is still under investigation by Shimla police, infiltrated the household of the Chhajta family.
Three family members, including a munshi (caretaker), were drugged after the wife of the accused Nepali man added a substance to their dinner.
The victims, Usha Chhajta, her mother-in-law Reshma Chhajta, and the family munshi, were rendered unconscious, while the couple looted the house and fled with valuable items, including jewelry.
The crime was only discovered 24 hours later when the family’s daughter, who had not consumed the drugged meal, found her mother and grandmother unconscious and contacted her father, Balbir Chhajta, who was away at his orchard in Netwar, Uttarakhand.
The victims were rushed to Rohru hospital, where they received treatment and have since been discharged.
According to Balbir Chhajta, the accused couple had arrived at the orchard just four days prior, seemingly through their own contact, and were not registered with the police.
This lack of registration has raised alarm among local residents, many of whom are now calling for a centralized online system to register all migrant laborers, particularly in the apple-growing regions of Himachal Pradesh.
Balbir Chhajta, relieved that his family members survived the ordeal, echoed the general concern: "Migrant labor, often avoids registering with the police. Whenever we ask them to register, they either refuse or leave the household."
This incident is not an isolated one.
In recent years, there have been similar crimes in the region, including the murder of an elderly couple in Mandhol village, also linked to Nepali laborers.
The farmers suspect the gang involved in the current case could be operating out of Haridwar, where incidents of chain-snatching and theft from pilgrims are rampant.
Residents believe a centralized online system would deter such crimes, ensuring that property owners can upload the details of their laborers, making it easier to track their movements and background.
Many laborers fear police registration, which has allowed criminal elements to exploit the apple belt's hospitality.
As the investigation progresses, the Shimla police have gathered some leads on the couple's whereabouts and are confident they will soon be apprehended.
Meanwhile, the farmers remain on high alert, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger safeguards and more stringent oversight of migrant labour.
The apple belt, a region built on the back of hard-working laborers from Nepal, now faces a growing dilemma as crime becomes intertwined with the labour force.
Centralized registration, according to many, could be a crucial step toward protecting both families and workers in this otherwise peaceful region.
