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Manhandling of Chamba school staff gets communal color, leads to violence
State unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad presented the case with a very different angle. The State President of VHP, Himachal, Aman Puri, in a media statement, claimed it a case of communal violence in which the teachers were assaulted by a specific group of people.
Shimla – After the riots in Kotkhai Tehsil of Shimla district over the rape and murder of a minor school girl, another case of alleged rape was reported on July 27 under Tissa Police Station in Churaah Subdivision of Chamba district. A teacher at a government school allegedly harassed a Class X student physically for over an year by threatening to fail her in the examination.
The teacher was immediately arrested after the victim’s father registered a FIR in the Tissa Police Station.The accused was booked under Section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). As per departmental rules, the teacher was automatically suspended after he remained in police custody for over 24 hours.
On July 29, locals had gathered at the Khushnagar Senior Secondary School in the presence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
People alleged that other teachers had prior knowledge regarding physical harassment of the minor girl but they didn’t act to prevent it either. Enraged over this fact, as per reports, the mob roughed up these colleagues of the accused teacher. The people were demanding transfer of the entire staff from the school.
The act of manhandling these teachers was criticized by teachers’ community on the ground that these teachers were not involved in the case. It was reported that a section of locals was enraged over manhandling of teachers.
The accused alleged of assaulting teachers have been arrested, informed the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Salooni, Mahinder Sigh Minhas.
However, by Sunday, as reported by local sources and administration, the matter was given a communal angle by some politically biased groups. Sources said these groups protested against the assault on the teachers, gheraoed the Tisa Police Station, pelted stones, and then went on a rampage. Some of them of vandalized the market and set ablaze about half-a-dozen shops/stalls and a PWD rain-shelter. The Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, Sudesh Mokhta said that a mob gheraoed the office of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at Tissa too.
On Monday, the State unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad came out openly in defense of the teachers and presented the case with a very different angle. The State President of VHP, Himachal, Aman Puri, in a media statement, claimed it a case of communal violence in which the teachers were assaulted by a specific group of people.
As per the sources including those in administration, the teacher was arrested and appropriate course of action is being followed. It was alleged that political interference was used to exploit emotionally charged mob.
The district administration has requested people to beware of communal rumors being spread in relations to the case with possible intentions of triggering riots.
It’s pertinent to mention that public in Himachal, especially in Shimla district is already in distress over an alleged botched-up police probe into barbaric crime in Kotkhai where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered between July 4 and 5. The public outrage had forced the State Government to order a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is still in progress. The Kotkhai Police Station was set on fire by an angry mob after killing of a Nepalese accused by his co-accused.
Now, in Chamba, as per the victim’s father, the girl went missing on the night of July 26. She was found in the fields by a local woman next morning. When inquired by the parents, the girl alleged the teacher had called her on phone and asked to come out of the house. He then, as per the victim’s statement, raped her in the fields.
As per the police complaint, the girl told her father that her teacher was blackmailing her since she was in Class X. As per reports, the girl had shifted to another school after passing Class X but the teacher continued to blackmail her.
At the same time, political critics are condemning efforts of some specific political groups to create chaos by giving the case a communal angle.
The Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has ordered probe into the matter and asked the administration to take action against those who vandalized the public property.
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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