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Shimla Gangrape: City in shock, police still clueless
Recent incident of gangrape in Shimla has posed a big question mark on the safety of females in once safe and peaceful capital city. The police is clueless even after four days, annoyed HPU SCA and students staged a protest against the Shimla police outside the Boileauganj Police Station, While Shimla MC leaves Summerhill roads in pitch black darkness, unsafe without street lighting.
SHIMLA- Last Friday, on May 17 , a minor girl student was raped by two unidentified men somewhere at Summerhill’s jungle near 103 railway tunnel in Shimla. Four days passed after the registration of the case, but still Shimla cops are struggling to get any clue regarding the identity of these men. The victim could recall the face of one of the two men and a sketch was prepared based on the description she gave. The sketch was circulated by the Shimla Police with a request to the public to help tracing the culprits.
On Monday, HPU students had gathered outside Boileauganj Police Station and protested against the inability of police department to get any clue of the accused men even after four days.
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The students alleged that the police action is much quicker when it’s about student protest at HPU, and that excess of policemen and Rapid Action Force is deployed on VC’s single call, but when it comes to the safety of females in the city, the cops are clueless and non-serious in investigating the case. The students also alleged Shimla Police for not considering their earlier complaints regarding eve-teasing and some incidents where girl students were either chased by miscreants or harassed in one way or other. The students also stated that a verbal request was already passed to the SP.
In Shimla, there is a rise in the cases of crime against women. But, this case raises a big question on the safety of females in once safe and peaceful capital city. In the present case, the victim had come to collect a B.A.LL.B prospectus at School of Legal Studies Avalodge campus. A male friend accompanied her on the way back from the institute when two men approached them, told them that the police has raided the place, and that they should not be there. The men offered them a safe place and made them to run towards the jungle. The male friend disappeared in-between as he ran hastily to escape. The girl was left alone and raped by these two unidentified men. The girl called the parents, who later registered a FIR regarding this shocking crime.
Click Here to See Condition of Street Lightning on Boileauganj- Summerhill Road( Posted by a HW reader)
This case appears to be pre-planned, where the victim was identified and separated from the male friend using a false alarm of a police raid. The Shimla Police SP, Abhishek Dulllar, stressed that it could be some gang who might had executed same crime earlier either by blackmailing or tricking the couples at isolated lovers points near HP University. It’s a real bad news for Shimla. The incidents of crime against women seem to have entered Himachal like a trend after many brutal incidents of gangrape in metropolitan cities like that of horrific Delhi Nirbhaya and Mumbai Shaktimill gangrape cases.
On the other hand, we wonder why a police raid was perceived as a such a threat by the victim and her friend when they weren’t involved in any such activity which could has become a subject to police concern. Whatever are the faults or flaws in the police department like everywhere else in India, but we are sure that Shimla Police is far more helpful and co-operative as compared to the cops in other parts of India.
When HW talked to the ASP(provisional), Shalini Agnihotri at Boileauganj Police Station asking for a response to the student protest. The ASP claimed that every possible effort is being made to trace the alleged men. She further added that the unavailability of any clue regarding the identification of the men involved in the crime is making it very difficult to reach the culprits. Only a sketch could be prepared based on the victim’s description. Regarding the justifiability of the student protest, the officer resisted the unnecessary activity. The ASP further added, “The deployment of police force at HPU campus is more a public matter, whereas, in the present case, the nature of crime is all together different.
The investigation in a rape case requires concealment of some information as a part of standard investigation procedure. The officer request HW to share the sketch of one of the accused and to request public to report in case they suspect any individual.
Before, we could access the ASP, another lower rank cop responded to the protest in the following words, “Ab hum kya kar sakte hain jab koi solid sabot ya information nai mil rahe hai, in university ke students ko to koi aur kaam hai nai, gharwalon ke paise ki roti todte hain aur nare lagate rahte hain”. He can’t be blamed for the perception he holds like most of the Govt. employees in their 50’s.
That shows the public has little respect for the efforts of HPU SCA and students to protest against the lowering standards of education at HPU due to administrative corruption, political interferences, and denial of basic facilities to the students at HPU campus. We all know corruption is haunting every Govt. department or institutes. The list of genuine demands and corrupt activities at HPU is a very long one. If possible, visit the varsity campus, and pay attention to the issues that these students raise.
So, we would request the people to consider the positive aspects related to the presence of student organizations at higher educational institutes.
On a very serious note, Shimla MC, the Summerhill ward councilor, the Mayor Sanjay Chauhan and the Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar failed to provide any street lights on the Summerhill roads. The situation in other parts of Shimla is no better. All the roads towards Summerhill pass through dense forests. After it gets dark, the activity on roads reduces and the pitch black darkness makes it one of the most insecure areas.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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