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Elderly Woman in Mandi Dies due to Bureaucratic Apathy and Intimidation: Fact-Finding Report
Mandi-The Forest Department, Himachal Pradesh, has been alleged of grave apathy and discrimination due to which an elderly lady died of a heart attack in Mandi district in July. It was alleged in the report of a fact-finding committee that was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, Rugved Milind Thakur on October 15, 2019. Not only the district administration, but the state government has also been alleged of showing apathy toward the victim and selective targeting of marginalized communities such as women, landless, Scheduled Caste, Pastoral and other marginalized communities while evictions from forest lands.
The committee comprised of public representatives and civil society groups, who were investigating the case of the deceased lady.
Members of this fact-finding team included Vimla Vishwapremi, State Convener, Mountain Women Rights Forum, Savitri Devi, Zila Parishad Member, Majhwaad Ward, KhemDaasi, Member State Women Welfare Board, Manju Devi, Member, Sub-divisional Level Committee on Forest Rights Act, Gohar, Mandi, Aditi, Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective, B.R Bhatia, State Secretary People’s Campaign for Socio-Economic Equity and Independent journalist, D.R. Koundal, Journalist, Dainik Bhaskar & Social Worker, Bhagat Ram, Block Convener People’s Campaign for Socio-Economic Equity, Sukhdev Vishwapremi, Convener, People’s Campaign for Socio-Economic Equity.
Fact Finding Committee Submitting its Report to DC, Mandi
As per the report submitted to the DC, on July 26, 52 year old healthy and active Dama Devi, a resident of Village Daangel (Tehsil Chachyot) in Mandi District, died of a sudden heart attack when six officials of the Forest Department, without issuing any prior notice, arrived on the land she had been cultivating for generations and intimidatingly started questioning her about her “occupation” on forest land.
After the complaints filed by the family of Dama Devi, the Police Station, Gohar, finally registered the FIR under section 3(1)(6) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The investigation in the matter is still under process. An independent 10-member fact-finding team comprising of public representatives, social activists and civil society groups visited the place of incident and after interaction with the local villagers and the affected family members, assessed the facts behind the matter. The team, on October 15, met the DC, Mandi, submitting their detailed fact-finding report.
The fact-finding team, upon investigation, found that Dama Devi belonging to Scheduled Caste Community, hailed from a very poor family who only had a land size of three Biswas under their legal ownership. The family thus to sustain basic livelihood needs had been dependent upon 1-2 bighas of forest land under their occupation which they had been cultivating since many generations. Adjacent to this land, few families of the village also had occupied a small piece of forest land over which they had constructed a temple. The two parties have had a land-related dispute going on for a few years, the report said.
Few villagers who were present at the time of incident mentioned that Dama was following her usual routine of fetching water from the water spring (baavdi) July 26, 2019, when she was called out to her land, in a loud and rude tone, by the officials of forest department. The six officials thereafter started shaming her in front of a gathering of villagers and questioning her intimidatingly, pressured her with accusations and threats of eviction from forest land under her occupation.
Having never seen so many officials together, Dama Devi, nervous and traumatized by the sudden intimidation and threats, continued responding in tears pleading about her family’s dependence on this land for sustenance. But when the Forest officials did not stop with their intimidation tactics, Dama Devi suddenly collapsed, falling unconsciously on the ground.
“It is most shocking that after Dama Devi collapsed the officials from Forest Department, instead of providing her with any assistance in accessing medical support, just left the spot”
states the fact-finding report.
By the time, Dama Devi’s son Desh raj reached the spot and took his mother somehow to hospital, she was already dead due to cardiac arrest.
As per Desh raj, he had approached the police Station Mandi on the evening of July 26 to file an FIR against the six forest department officials but his complaint was registered as an FIR only on August 28. Even after that, the Police Department has been laggard and apathetic in their conduct and investigation, the fact-finding team reported. It’s saddening that both the State government and the Administration have been silent on the whole issue. The Fact-finding team stressed,
“This is clearly a case of death due to the pressure of forced and illegal eviction from forest land.”
The fact-finding report also revealed that this was a case of selective targeting whereas there were other such “occupations” in the village and in fact across the state where no action is being taken.
Adding further, the fact-finding team emphasized that the death of Dama Devi is not the first case but the State in past few years has seen a rapid rise in similar cases of forced eviction from forest land.
It’s pertinent to note that lakhs of families in Himachal Pradesh have been dependent and holding occupations over forest land for agriculture and habitation. Most of these occupations are many decades old and of less than 10 bighas but have not been regularised or given legal titles. The distressing fact is that the worst victims of the violence of eviction are the people from the most marginalized communities such as women, landless, Scheduled Caste, Pastoral and other marginalized communities, the report stated.
Though, the central government in 2006 enacted Forest Rights Act (FRA) to secure such forest-dependent communities and to give their occupations on forest land legal recognition, the implementation of this historic legislation has been extremely laggard and depressing. Most importantly, FRA under section 4(5) clearly lays out that till the process of verification and recognition of forest rights is not completed, no person can be evicted from the forest land under their occupation. But the state government has neither been able to provide awareness or training on the legislation nor has it succeeded in building faith about FRA amongst the common masses.
The report noted that noteworthy in this regard is the case of District Mandi which stands further ahead in case of gross violation of forest rights as here the District Administration, in the year 2014, instead of conducting any training, had made the Forest Rights Committees issue affidavits saying ‘nil claims’ received in context of forest rights. The forest dependent public of Mandi has since then been demonstrating against such grave violations and echoing the demand for declaring these ‘nil claims’ null and void.
Lakhs of families resembling Dama Devi, who have been historically dependent upon forest land for fulfilling their bonafide livelihood needs, are eligible to file forest rights claims under FRA. But if the state government and the administration continue with their apathy in recognizing the forest rights of these communities then many more such poor and marginalized families will continue to suffer a similar fate as Dama Devi and drown further down in the pits of marginalization.
In regard to this case, the fact-finding team has submitted a 10-point demand charter along with the report. Few major demands include:
- A high level monitored detailed police investigation must be efficiently and effectively carried out without any further delay
- A High-Court monitored investigation be conducted against the intimidating behaviour and illegal actions of the Forest Department.
- Chief Secretary, GoHP must immediately issue executive orders for speedy, effective and inclusive implementation of FRA, clearly directing that eviction of any family eligible under FRA is punishable by law.
- Declaring the Nil Claims issued in Mandi as Null and Void, DC Mandi must ensure the training of FRCs on awareness on FRA and immediate filing of forest rights claims.
- Prioritize on granting immediate titles to the Individual Forest Right holders under the FRA with occupations below 5 bighas of land
The fact-finding team will also be submitting the report to various other departments, State Government and Central Authorities like the National Human Rights Commission, Scheduled Caste commission, Ministry of Tribal Affairs etc.
Shimla—A quiet but worrying crisis is unfolding in Himachal Pradesh. Across several districts, traders, hoteliers, and restaurant owners are reporting a sharp shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, leaving many establishments with barely a few days’ supply. In a state where tourism drives the local economy, disruptions in cooking fuel supply can quickly escalate into a wider economic concern.
Local reports indicate the shortage is already affecting hospitality businesses. Traders in Shimla have warned that commercial gas stocks may last only a couple of days if fresh deliveries do not arrive soon, according to a report by Amar Ujala. Restaurant owners have echoed similar concerns in Solan and nearby tourist towns, where businesses fear that kitchens may soon struggle to operate without regular supplies, as reported by Dainik Jagran.
At first glance, the shortage appears to be a regional supply bottleneck. In reality, the problem is tied to wider disruptions in global energy markets triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Tourism economy vulnerable to fuel disruption
Himachal Pradesh’s tourism sector relies heavily on thousands of small and medium establishments—restaurants, cafés, dhabas, and hotels. Unlike large metropolitan areas where piped natural gas networks are expanding, most commercial kitchens in the hill state still depend almost entirely on LPG cylinders.
This dependence makes the sector particularly vulnerable. Even short supply disruptions can force restaurants to reduce operations, limit menus, or temporarily shut down.
Industry bodies across India have already sounded the alarm. Restaurant operators have warned that continued supply disruptions could lead to closures across the sector. For a tourism-driven state like Himachal Pradesh, such disruptions can ripple through the wider economy.
The global trigger: instability in West Asia
The roots of the crisis lie thousands of kilometers away. The conflict involving the United States and Iran has begun affecting energy markets and shipping routes in the Gulf region.
A key concern is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors through which a large share of global oil and LPG shipments pass. India’s dependence on this route is substantial. Energy analysts estimate that a majority of India’s LPG imports originate from Gulf countries and move through this narrow maritime passage, as noted in a report by The New Indian Express.
Any instability in the region immediately affects supply chains. Shipping risks rise, insurance premiums increase, and cargo movement slows. These pressures eventually filter down to domestic markets.
Recent reports have also linked rising LPG prices and supply concerns to the Middle East crisis, with consumers expressing worry about the impact of the conflict on cooking gas costs, according to ANI News.
Domestic prioritisation, commercial shortage
When supplies tighten, governments typically prioritise household consumption. Domestic LPG cylinders are considered essential for daily cooking, and maintaining their availability becomes a policy priority.
However, this often leaves commercial users facing reduced allocations. Restaurants and hotels depend almost entirely on commercial cylinders, which are distributed through a separate supply channel.
In response to the emerging supply concerns, the government has reportedly taken steps to ensure adequate domestic availability of LPG, including directing refiners to increase production and manage distribution more closely, as reported by The Economic Times.
While such measures protect households, they can intensify shortages for commercial establishments.
Geography amplifies the problem
Himachal Pradesh faces additional logistical challenges. LPG cylinders used in the state are largely transported from bottling plants located outside its borders. Moving these supplies across mountainous terrain involves long supply chains and limited transport routes.
When upstream deliveries slow down—whether at ports, refineries, or bottling plants—the impact reaches hill towns more quickly and more sharply.
At the same time, alternatives remain limited. Large-scale piped gas networks are rare in the state, and many commercial kitchens lack the electrical capacity required for high-energy cooking equipment.
A warning for energy resilience
The emerging LPG shortage in Himachal Pradesh is more than a temporary supply issue. It highlights a deeper vulnerability in India’s energy system—heavy dependence on imported fuel and fragile supply chains exposed to geopolitical shocks.
For a café owner in Shimla or a hotel operator in Manali, the geopolitics of West Asia may seem distant. Yet the current situation demonstrates how closely global energy flows are tied to local economies.
A disruption in the Persian Gulf can slow tanker shipments, delay fuel supplies at Indian ports, disrupt distribution networks—and ultimately affect the availability of cooking gas in a Himalayan kitchen.
As the situation evolves, the hope in Himachal Pradesh is that supply lines stabilise quickly. But the episode offers a clear lesson: in an interconnected world, even the quiet kitchens of the mountains are not insulated from global conflict.
Mandi|July 11, 2025 — In the lap of the Himalayas, nestled among deodar forests and flowing streams, the district of Mandi has long stood as a symbol of Himachal’s tranquil beauty. But in the monsoon of 2025, that tranquillity was shattered — not by nature alone, but by a deadly combination of climate extremes, administrative apathy, and long-ignored warnings.
This year’s monsoon came not as a nurturing rain, but as a devastating deluge. What began in late June as a forecasted spell of heavy rainfall turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent memory for Himachal Pradesh. And no place bore the brunt quite like Mandi.
The Collapse of Safety
Between June 20 and July 10, the state witnessed 91 rain-related deaths, out of which 17 occurred in Mandi district alone, making it the hardest-hit region according to the State Disaster Management Authority. More than 750 homes were completely destroyed, and another 880 partially damaged, while 10 bridges, multiple roads, and entire stretches of power and water infrastructure were washed away. In just 21 days, the estimated damage statewide crossed ₹750 crore.
The primary culprits? Landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods — many of which occurred in the dead of night, catching villagers off guard.
In Siyathi village, 67 lives were saved not by sirens or warning systems, but by a dog’s bark. A resident, Narendra, told media:
“It was midnight. We were sleeping. Suddenly the dog began barking non-stop. We ran out. Within minutes, the entire hillside collapsed and our homes were buried.”
The dog, unnamed but hailed as a hero, became a symbol of what worked in a place where institutional response did not.
A Night of Heroes in Deji Village
In nearby Deji, two college students — Ronid Pundir and Sahil Thakur — from Thunag Horticulture College became real-life saviours. When a sudden cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the dead of night, the duo ran from house to house, waking families and helping them escape. Their actions helped evacuate over 150 people.
“We didn’t think twice. We just saw the water rising and started pulling people out,” Ronid told the media.
Despite such moments of courage, the tragedy left deep scars. In many parts of Seraj, Karsog, and Sundernagar subdivisions, residents reported that local authorities failed to respond in time. Emergency shelters were ill-equipped. In remote hamlets, stranded families waited hours, sometimes days, for rescue.
A Failure of Planning, Not Just Weather
Himachal’s vulnerability to extreme weather is well known. Yet critics argue that poor land use planning, unregulated construction near rivers, and unsafe road-cutting practices have greatly magnified the disaster’s impact.
Geologists and environmentalists have warned for years that road expansion projects and large-scale deforestation in hill regions have weakened slope stability. In many places, construction has occurred dangerously close to water channels, despite repeated advisories.
This time, the warnings played out in real-time — with mud, stone, and entire homes tumbling into ravines.
Government Response: Promises and Limitations
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the worst-affected villages, including Baga, Syanj, and Panglyur, personally distributing relief materials and speaking with the victims.
“No family should feel alone. The state stands with you,” he said during a relief camp visit.
The state government announced ₹7 lakh in compensation per fully destroyed house, and temporary shelters for displaced families. In contrast, the central government’s compensation — capped at ₹1.3 lakh — has drawn criticism from state ministers and the public alike.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi remarked:
“What we’re getting from the Centre is insufficient. Our people are suffering. We need stronger, faster support.”
A Glimpse into the Future
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this disaster is that it may be only the beginning. Scientists warn that climate change is accelerating the frequency and intensity of such events in the Himalayas. Increased temperatures are destabilizing glaciers. Erratic rainfall patterns are overwhelming natural drainage systems.
Experts now call for a complete reassessment of infrastructure policy in Himachal — including bans on construction near rivers, better slope-stabilization in road projects, and improved early warning systems for landslides and flash floods.
“What’s happening is not natural anymore,” said a climate scientist from IIT Mandi. “It’s a man-made disaster wrapped in nature’s disguise.”
Beyond Numbers: The Lives Left Behind
In the hills of Mandi, statistics cannot capture the grief. Each day, as clouds gather, a quiet anxiety grips the village once more.
Shimla– In times of conflict, journalism must rise to its noblest purpose: truth, accountability, and responsibility. And yet, as India and Pakistan faced off once again across borders—bullets flying, lives lost, families shattered—a section of the Indian media turned tragedy into theatre.
From the moment reports of cross-border attacks surfaced, several primetime news anchors transformed their studios into shrill war rooms. Not to inform, but to inflame. Graphic war music, animated explosions, ticker tapes screaming “BREAKING”—the spectacle began. As soldiers bled on the border, TV screens bled hyperbole.
The most damning criticism did not come from adversaries but from global media observers. The BBC described Indian news channels’ coverage as “jingoistic and unhinged”. Al Jazeera and The Guardian echoed similar sentiments, noting how unverified reports, doctored videos, and belligerent studio debates replaced sober reportage.
Anchors, who had never seen a trench or a frontline, banged desks demanding military action. Unconfirmed reports were aired without attribution. Words like “annihilation,” “revenge,” and “surgical strike 2.0” were thrown around with theatrical bravado. There was no time to pause for facts. There was no room for nuance. There was only TRP.
The absurdity reached its peak when a few channels aired animations of fighter jets with triumphant music. Meanwhile, real families were burying their dead – soldiers and civilians alike.
In this chaos, journalism died a quiet death.
Media as Vultures
The metaphor is tragically apt. These channels, masquerading as patriots, behaved like vultures—circling the battlefield, feeding off the dead for ratings. Their hunger wasn’t for truth, but for viewership. They amplified hatred, dismissed dissent, and turned war into primetime entertainment.
And in doing so, they embarrassed India, not just at home but before the world.
The Cost of Sensationalism
When media loses its spine, democracy loses its mirror. The consequence is not just embarrassment—it’s danger. Misinformation in wartime can escalate conflict, trigger communal unrest, and mislead policymakers. A responsible media can cool tensions. An irresponsible one can fan the flames.
We must ask: Where is the human cost of war—the widows, the orphans, the destroyed homes? Where is the perspective from peace-builders, historians, and diplomats? Journalism is not supposed to echo government talking points—it is supposed to hold power to account, especially in wartime.
What Needs to Change
The Press Council of India, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), and civil society must take stronger action against media outlets that violate ethical standards. Viewers too must switch off noise in favor of news. The Indian media must remember that its loyalty is to truth—not to war, not to government, and certainly not to TRP.
War is not a spectacle. Soldiers are not content. And journalism is not war-mongering.
It is time Indian newsrooms return to their core duty: informing citizens with accuracy, dignity, and humanity.
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