NHAI Officials Thrashed in Minister’s Presence; Jairam Thakur Slams State Government Over Law and Order Collapse
Calls for Minister’s Dismissal from Cabinet Over Alleged Assault; Claims Media Intervention Saved Lives
Shimla, June 30: A case of assault has emerged in Shimla’s Bhattakufar area after the collapse of a multi-storey building in Mathu Colony.
Two officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Based on a written complaint by NHAI Manager (Technical) Achal Jindal, the police have registered an FIR at Dhalli Police Station against state minister Anirudh Singh under various sections.
Jindal has alleged that the minister physically assaulted and verbally abused him during a site visit on June 30, following the collapse of the five-storey building.
In a scathing attack on the state government, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has accused a sitting minister in Himachal Pradesh of being complicit in a shocking act of violence against two senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The alleged incident, which took place in full public view, has raised serious concerns over the state’s law and order situation.
According to Thakur, the two NHAI officials were summoned to a location in the presence of the said minister, along with police and administrative officials.
In a shocking turn of events, media personnel were reportedly threatened and forced to switch off their cameras before the officials were allegedly locked inside a room and brutally assaulted.
The violence didn’t end there. Thakur claims that even after being dragged out of the room, the officials were further attacked by the minister’s supporters — potted plants were hurled at them, and both sustained serious injuries.
They managed to flee the scene with the help of some journalists and are currently admitted at IGMC Hospital in Shimla.
"What’s appalling is that despite the presence of the SDM and police personnel, no attempt was made to stop the attack.
Worse, the injured officials weren’t even rushed to the hospital by the administration," said Thakur in a sharply worded press statement.
Calling the incident “shameful and deplorable,” the former Chief Minister demanded immediate action from the incumbent CM.
"If the Chief Minister has any respect for law and governance, he must sack the minister involved. A person who takes law into their own hands has no right to be in the Cabinet," Thakur asserted.
He further alleged that attempts were being made to hush up the matter. "Media houses are being threatened not to report the incident, and the victims are being pressured to compromise," he said, terming it a dangerous precedent for democracy and a blatant example of political muscle-flexing.
Thakur warned that this kind of lawlessness cannot be tolerated in a democratic state. “If ministers start beating up government officials with the police looking on as mute spectators, then it’s not just a collapse of law and order — it’s the murder of civil governance,” he said.
