News
Shimla councillor assault case: All 4 arrested accused released on bail
SHIMLA- In regard to case of assault on councillor in Shimla town, four arrested men have been released on bail after questioning. Yesterday, Shimla Police had arrested four out of six people who were mentioned in the FIR registered on July 3 by victim Sanjay Parmar, elected councillor of Kachi Ghati Ward of Shimla Municipal Corporation.
Parmar was allegedly assaulted by four accused, identified as Amit Kohli, Jitender, Gattu, Rohal with two others. In the FIR, Parmar has stated that he was returning from Chandigarh and another person, Nitin Madotra, also accompanied him.
He alleged that six men, including four identified accused, intercepted his car near Sonu Bungalow in Shimla, pulled out them from their vehicle and thrashed them brutally. They were using vulgar language while beating him and threatening repeatedly. The case is being investigated by ASI Bhagat Ram, I/O PS Shimla West. The accused were booked under Section 47, 149, 323, 504, 506 of IPC.
Video
In media statements, Parmar alleged that all six men are workers of Youth Congress who assaulted him for joining BJP after winning election for the seat of councillor. He termed it a pre-planned attack on the behest of Vikramaditya, son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and President of Youth Congress, Himachal Pradesh. All six men were repeatedly reminding him that he had betrayed Vikramadiya, Parmar told media.
He further alleged that arrested men are workers of Youth Congress, and they were campaigning for him prior to SMC elections. Parmar has demanded police security claiming he was given life threats by accused. He also alleged that the sole eyewitness, who was present with him, was also given life threat and warned of not giving any statement to police regarding the assault.
However, no statement has been released by Congress or Youth Congress in response to these allegation.
Enraged over this incident, State unit of Bhartiya Janata Party, several party leaders, and workers had staged protest at the CTO Shimla on Tuesday evening demanding action against culprits. The workers also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla. The workers demanded charging culprits with Section 307 (attempt to murder) as police charged them with only bailable charges.
Former Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, also criticised the attack, and said the Congress doesn’t have any belief in democratic system. Rather, Congress, afraid of BJP’s victories in various Assembly Elections, has taken to dictatorship.
Suresh Bhardwaj, BJP MLA from Shimla, termed it as an expression of frustration after losing SMC polls. He said CM Virbhadra, who is facing serious corruption charges, has lost three out of four seats in his own constituency. Frustrated over its failure on every front, Congress has now taken to hooliganism, and has resorted to ‘gundagardi’, he said.
Police is trying to protect the culprits, and it’s evident from the fact that Parmar’s medical report didn’t mention fracture that he sustained on his nose, BJP alleged. Police took over six hours to conduct the medical so that facts could be manipulated to save the culprits, he said.
BJP Spokesperson, Dr. Rajeev Bindal termed it as gundaraj of Congress government. It’s an attack on democracy, he said. Parmar is an elected candidate, and it’s matter of shame that a public representative isn’t safe in Himachal. The government is involved and the attack was pre-planed, he further alleged.
Former Horticulture Minister, Narinder Bragta, also lashed out at the Congress government, and said that law and order condition has deteriorated and the attack on the Councillor is clear evidence of it. Mafia raj has flourished throughout the state during the five year tenure of the Congress government. Current government is providing patronage to mafia, he alleged.
Goons of Youth Congress have launched similar attacks on BJP earlier too, in which a senior party worker had lost his eye. On the day of MC poll results too, Congress goons had attacked BJP workers, a case regarding which was registered and is under investigation, said BJP.
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
Home Decor Ideas 2020