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Video: Tourists in Mandi Assault Locals, Chops Off Finger with Sword
Mandi-Tourists in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh reportedly assaulted two locals following a spat on Friday night. One of the tourists was carrying a sharp-edged weapon (sword) and chopped off one of the fingers of a local and injured the other.
The Superintendent of Police, Mandi, Shalini Agnihotri, confirmed the report.
According to the FIR lodged by Mandi police, last night it received information that two locals – Anil Sharma and Hitesh Vaid- were brought to the Regional Hospital, Mandi, in an injured state. A police team reached the hospital where the two youth narrated the incident.
As per the FIR, Anil and Hitesh were standing near Ahsoka Hotel in Thaneda market when a Fortuner car (PB-02- CK 6300) arrived and stopped at a distance of not more than eight to ten feet from them. Some people got out of the vehicle and assaulted the two locals, according to the FIR. There is a possibility that there were two tourist cars involved in the incident.
While some media reports said four persons came out of the vehicle and created a nuisance, others said the spat started over driving vehicle rashly past very close to them. When Anil and Hitesh reacted to it, the four persons launched an assault. One of these persons assaulted Anil and Hitesh with a sword in which Anil lost one of his right-hand fingers, while Hitesh also sustained injuries on the left hand. The four persons then fled in the car. Anil was referred to PGI, Chandigarh.
Some CCTV footages of the incident appeared on social media. The footages invited strong reactions from the people. The available CCTV footages showed that some policemen/homegaurds were present on the spot too.
However, exact details regarding the incident and the identification of the accused were still awaited.
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The police, on receiving information about the car number, alerted all nearby police stations and posts and directed them to detain the vehicle. Eventually, the accused were detained at Koksar in Lahaul-Spiti.
“The accused are tourists who have been arrested and were being brought to Mandi district,” the SP told Himachal Watcher.
The accused were booked under Section 307, 326, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code at Sadar police station.
It’s pertinent to mention that altercations between locals and tourists and between tourists and local police are on the rise. Drunk tourists creating a nuisance or littering or violating Covid guidelines had been bothering the locals and the police most.
Last month, some tourists from Haryana had allegedly thrashed a local in Tirthan valley, Kullu district, for objecting to littering, drinking and creating nuisance. The tourists reportedly fled the scene. The tourists had thrashed the local so badly that he had to be hospitalized. Later, locals caught and thrashed the accused and vandalized their cars. One of the tourists was later hospitalized. A video of the incident showed tourists screaming for help in order to save themselves from enraged locals present on the scene.
Similarly, two drunk tourists were seen getting into an altercation with a police constable on the Shimla Ridge a few days ago. These tourists were not wearing masks.
In another incident, an altercation between traffic police and tourists was reported near Shimla’s Victory Tunnel. An on duty traffic personal was seen slapping a tourist for allegedly misbehaving. The constable had complained that the tourist was using foul language while his car was stopped for checking documents. Following it, the constable was line-attached and the SP, Shimla, Mohit Chawla ordered an inquiry.
Some incidents have also been reported from other districts as well, and such altercations are becoming common occurrences after the state re-opened for tourism.
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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