News Analysis India

Tag: Himachal Pradesh

  • BJP govt failed in ensuring national security: AAP after Khalistan flags at Himachal Assembly gate

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The AAP on Sunday slammed the BJP after Khalistan flags were found at the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly entrance in Dharamshala, asking how will its government save the people of the country when it failed in ensuring national security.

    Calling it a “huge security failure”, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party demanded that either Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur immediately resign or the Union government sack his government in Himachal Pradesh.

    Either the BJP governments at the Centre and Himachal Pradesh were “completely incompetent” or the saffron party was hand in glove with the Khalistanis that someone could walk away after tying Khalistani flags at the gate of the state assembly complex despite them being at the helm, the AAP charged.

    Taking to Twitter, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the putting up of the Khalistan flags outside the gate of Himachal assembly building in Dharamshala was a “complete failure” of the BJP government in dealing with the matter pertaining to national security and keeping the respect of the people of the hill state.

    The BJP sharply responded to allegations and said that Khalistani activities have increased after the AAP government was formed in Punjab. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta alleged that the AAP was “furthering Khalistani agenda”.

    In Himachal Pradesh, along with increasing AAP’s activities, Khalistani activities are also on the rise, Gupta said. The flags were put up on the outer side of the gate number one of the state assembly complex, which have now been removed by the administration.

    Pro-Khalistan slogans were also found scrawled on the walls of the assembly complex, which have been painted again. The entire BJP is trying to save one goon, and Khalistani left putting up flags there (at the gate of Himachal Pradesh Assembly complex), Sisodia tweeted in Hindi, taking a dig at the ruling BJP.

    He apparently referred as goon Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga who was arrested by a team of Punjab Police on Friday from his residence in the national capital in connection with a case registered in Mohali but brought back by the Delhi Police same day later after a high-voltage drama which drew police of three states and kicked up a slugfest between the AAP and the BJP.

    In his tweet, Sisodia said, “The government which cannot save the Legislative Assembly, how will it save the people. This is a matter of Himachal’s respect, security of the country. The BJP government has completely failed.”

    In another tweet, the Delhi deputy chief minister called the tying of Khalistani flags at the entrance of the assembly complex a huge security failure and demanded that either Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur resign or the Union government sack his government in Himachal Pradesh.

    The AAP called the incident a shame on the BJP, saying someone could walk away putting up Khalistani flags at the entrance of the Assembly despite the saffron party being at the helm, both in the state and at the Centre.

    “Shame on BJP. It’s their government in Himachal and at the Centre. Yet someone leaves after putting up Khalistani flag at Legislative Assembly, which means either they (BJP) govt are completely incompetent or they are hand in glove with Khalistanis,” the party said in a tweet in Hindi.

    Responding to allegations, Delhi BJP chief Gupta in a statement alleged, “Even before Punjab polls, Kejriwal was having meals with Khalistani chief at his house. Now, when polls are due in Himachal Pradesh, a Khalistani flag has been put up outside state assembly there to defame the state.”

    Gupta alleged it cannot be denied that “ever since AAP became active in Punjab, Khalistani moment is gaining strength there.” The extremist, Pannu, openly charged that “we gave foreign donation to AAP for winning Punjab polls.”

    Earlier it was in Patiala and now this flag being put up at Himachal Pradesh state assembly in Dharamshala today. It’s not a coincidence but an experiment. It is time to stop such acts of Khalistanis in Punjab and other parts of the country, Gupta said in the statement.

    In the run-up to the assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh scheduled later this year, the AAP recently found itself at the centre of a controversy after the BJP accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led party’s social media in-charge in the hill state Harpreet Singh Bedi of openly supporting the Khalistan referring to a series of his tweets posted on the microblogging site few years ago.

    Acting swiftly on the BJP’s allegations, the AAP expelled Bedi from all posts in the party over his alleged pro-Khalistani tweets, saying that the views expressed by him in his posts on the micro-blogging site were against the Aam Aadmi Party’s ideology.

    Buoyed by its landslide victory in neighbouring Punjab, the AAP is gearing up to contest on all seats in the upcoming assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh.

  • Himachal borders sealed; Pannun booked over Khalistani flags outside assembly

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Police booked Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun under anti-terror law UAPA and “sealed” the state’s borders after Khalistsni flags were put up on the gates of the state assembly complex in Dharamshala on Sunday.

    Himachal Pradesh police chief Sanjay Kundu also ordered the sealing of the state’s border and beefing up of the state-wide security, citing “pro-Khalistan activities” in the state and the banned outfit’s announcement of a Khalistan “referendum day” on June 6.

    The “sealing” of the border implies strict checks on vehicles and people entering the hilly state, police said.

    HP Director General of Police Kundu said Pannun has been booked as the main accused under section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and sections 153 A and 153 B of the India Penal Code, besides section 3 of the HP Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985.

    While section 13 of the UAPA pertains to the offence of inciting or abetting terror acts, sections 153 A and 153 B of the IPC deal with the offences of promoting communal or sectarian divides and animosity.

    Kundu said the FIR against Pannun and others was lodged on the complaint of Ram Chand alias Ajay Kumar of Kaned village under Dharamshala tehsil of the Kangra district.

    In a statement here on Sunday evening, the DGP said, “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel to Sikhs for Justice has been made the main accused in the case.”

    The case was lodged at Dharamshala police station, he added The HP DGP also set up a seven-member Special Investigation Team to expeditiously investigate the case involving the putting up of Khalistani banners and scrawling of pro-Khalistan slogans and graffiti over the outer walls near the main gate of the Himachal legislative assembly complex Tapovan in Dharamshala.

    The members of the SIT are Kangra’s Additional Superintendent of Police Puneet Raghu, Jawalaji’s Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chander Paul, Mandi’s Deputy SP (CID) Sushant Sharma, Jawali SDPO Sidharath Sharma, besides the Dharamshala police station’s SHO and the Yol police post in-charge, the DGP said in his statement.

    The SIT has been directed to take up the investigation of the case immediately and carry out a professional and impartial investigation to ensure transparency, the HP police chief said.

    “The SIT has also been directed to contact with the state and central intelligence agencies to unearth the inter-state and international linkages if any,” he added.

    Kundu also ordered to “seal” the state’s border and beef up security at crowded and sensitive places in Himachal Pradesh.

    The HP DGP also asked the various field formations of the HP Police to remain on high alert in view of the incidents of Khalistani elements in the neighbouring states and also that of the putting up of a Khalistani banner in the Una district on April 11.

    His directions followed “also in view of the incident of hoisting banners and graffiti of Khalistan on the outer boundary of Vidhan Sabha in Dharamshala as well as the threat posed by SJF’s announcement of June 6 as the voting date for Khalistan Referendum in Himachal Pradesh”.

    Additional DGP-CID, range IGs and DIGs and district police chiefs too have been directed “to seal all interstate borders/barriers and keep a strict vigil at the places of probable hideouts i.e. hotels and inns of criminal elements, he said.

    “They have been directed to keep the special security units (SSUs), bomb disposal squads and quick reactions teams (QRTs) in position and on high alert and strengthen the security of dams, railway stations, bus stands, towns, government buildings and vital installations,” said Kundu.

    The HP police chief also directed various field formations to sensitise all the security staff/chowkidars of government buildings, banks, PSUs about the threat and to advise them to report any matter of concern to the local police station immediately.

    Pannun had earlier also called for hoisting the Khalistani flag in Shimla on April 29.

  • Kejriwal accuses BJP, Congress of looting Himachal; seeks ‘give AAP a chance’

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress looted Himachal Pradesh for 17 years and 30 years respectively. The next alternative before the people of the hilly state is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP),  Arvind Kejriwal said.

    The assembly elections are slated to be held in the state in November this year.

    Addressing a rally at Chambi ground in Shahpur assembly constituency in Kangra district on Saturday, the Delhi chief minister sought the people one chance for his party to rule.

    Himachal was ‘Dev Bhoomi’. “When God made the world, he made Himachal Pradesh the most beautiful place on earth. God has given everything it has given mountains, water, herbs and wonderful people, but BJP and Congress looted Himachal during their rule. The Congress ruled for 30 years while the BJP for 17 years. After having looted, now, both parties are abusing me,’’ the Delhi CM said.

    “Give us a chance to rule for five years. If we let you down, reject us,” quipped the AAP national convenor.

    Kejriwal said his detractors say that the situation in Himachal is different. But Himachal needs change and people have to opt for his party to usher in the change. He noted that he has heard that the BJP would go for early polls in Himachal and Gujarat.

    Kejriwal pointed out, “Yesterday Jai Ram Thakur tweeted that the Delhi model will not work in Himachal. The Delhi model means honest government, I ask you whether you want an honest government in Himachal or not?’’

    He claimed that Himachal chief minister Jai Ram Thakur copied the Delhi model and announced 125 units of free power. 

    “We demand that other BJP governments should also follow suit,” he said.

    Kejriwal said the government schools in Himachal Pradesh were in a bad shape. “One can see the government schools in Delhi. This year the government schools in the national capital have got 99.7 percent results. About 4 lakh more students have been admitted to government schools. In Delhi, private schools have not been allowed to increase fees for the past four years while medical treatment is free for all. The Delhi government is taking people to pilgrimage free of cost,” he said.

    “It is time to make ‘Naya Himachal Pradesh’. I urge all the good people in BJP and Congress to leave their parties and join the Aam Aadmi Party. I request the people of this state to give AAP a chance,’’ Kejriwal appealed.

    He got a rousing reception on his arrival as AAP managed to mobilize a large crowd.

  • Himachal Day: CM announces 50 per cent bus fare relaxation for women, free power up to 125 units to all

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday announced a 50 per cent relaxation in fare in HRTC buses for women, free power to all up to 125 units, and no water bill in rural areas.

    The state is scheduled to go to polls in December this year. Thakur made the announcements while presiding over the 75th state level Himachal Day function in the historic town of Chowgan in Chamba district today.

    The CM said that the women on the whole will save up to about Rs 60 crore with the 50 per cent discount on HRTC bus fare. He said that consumers using up to 125 electricity units will not be charged anything from July 1.

    With this decision, about 11.5 lakh consumers will get benefit of about Rs 250 crore, he said. The CM also announced that no water bill will be charged from families living in rural areas. This will provide financial benefits of Rs 30 crore to all our rural families, he added.

  • AAP gets another major jolt after its women wing chief from Himachal Pradesh joins BJP

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the assembly election, the  Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Himachal Pradesh got another jolt on Monday, when its state chief of women’s wing Mamata Thakur, along with others, joined the ruling BJP in New Delhi, on Monday. 

    The joining was held at a time when the national president of BJP J Nadda was on a four-day visit to the state from April 9 to 12. Welcoming Mamata Thakur and others in the BJP, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the AAP has started facing an existential challenge in Himachal Pradesh because of its faulty policies and lack of internal democracy in the party.

    Taking a jibe at Arvind Kejariwal, he said, “Delhi CM and Chief of AAP Arvind Kejariwal will find it difficult to save his party’s organisation in Himachal Pradesh.” He also predicted that the process of joining of Aam Aadmi Party’s leaders from Himachal Pradesh would continue further giving an existential challenge to the AAP in Himachal Pradesh.

    “Overlooking workers has become a habit of AAP. As a result of this habit, its leaders are deserting the party adjoining the BJP,” he claimed.

    Ashish Kumar-vice president of IT Cell of Himachal Pradesh AAP also joined the BJP along with Mamata Thakur. As the AAP has decided to contest all assembly seats in the upcoming assembly in Himachal Pradesh, the desertion of its four prominent state leaders including the state president of Himachal Pradesh in the last four days has given a major jolt to its organisational strength ahead of assembly elections.

    Last Friday, Anup Keshari along with Satish Thakur and Una district chief Iqbal Singh were the first who joined the BJP, accusing the Delhi Chief Minister of being concerned and communicative to the state leaders of the party.

    Mamata Thakur after joining the BJP in New Delhi presence of senior leaders of BJP, including union minister Anurag Thakur, national generals secretary and LS MP Arun Singh, Minakshi Lekhi and Sanjay Mayukh lashed out at the AAP central leadership for ignoring the state leaders and indulging in the tarnishing the political character of those who have recently joined the BJP.

  • Himachal Pradesh High Court seeks reply from NHAI over collection of toll at Sanwara plaza in Solan

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from the National Highways Authority of India with regard to the alleged illegal collection of toll at the Sanwara plaza in Solan district.

    Adit Singal in a PIL alleged that the toll plaza at Sanwara was set up contrary to the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.

    The petitioner stated that as per rules, no toll Plaza can be established in the same section within a distance of 60 km.

    Whereas other toll plazas are situated at Parwanoo in Solan district and in Chandimandir of Haryana’s Panchkula district, within 60 km from the Sanwara toll plaza, the petitioner said.

    The petition further alleged that the people who do not have the fast-tag facility are being charged double.

    A Division Bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to make submission in this regard.

    The next hearing will be held on April 27.

  • AAP viable alternative to BJP, Congress in Himachal Pradesh: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

    By PTI

    MANDI: AAP leader Satyendar Jain on Tuesday projected his party a viable alternative to the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress in Himachal Pradesh, just a day ahead of a roadshow by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann here.

    Mandi is the home district of Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) through the roadshow is looking to project itself as a major contended for the state Assembly polls, which are scheduled to be held later this year.

    AAP is a better option for Himachal Pradesh as both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have looted the hill state, alleged Delhi Health Minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain.

    Talking to the media here, Jain claimed that the main contest in Himachal Pradesh in the coming Assembly elections will be between the BJP and AAP.

    The Congress has lost its ground and AAP has sufficient experience of defeating it, he said apparently referring to the recently held Punjab Assembly polls, in which Jain’s party stormed to power.

    Jain said his party’s membership drive has been successful in the hill state as three lakh people joined AAP in the last fortnight.

  • One killed, 39 injured in bus accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: One person was killed and 39 others were injured in a bus accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Monday, a state disaster management official said.

    The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus crashed into a retaining wall along a mountain road at the Kenchi More near Pandoh Dam, according to information received from the Mandi District Emergency Operation Centre.

    The driver of the bus was killed, the official said, adding that it was going from Manali to Shimla.

    The injured have been admitted to the zonal hospital in Mandi.

    Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur visited the hospital to enquire about the health of the injured and assured that the state government would provide them best health care facility.

    Mandi Deputy Commissioner Arindam Choudhary apprised that immediate financial relief was provided to next of kin of deceased and the injured people.

  • 198 people from Himachal Pradesh evacuated from Ukraine so far: CM Jai Ram Thakur

    Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said 53 students from the state are still stuck in Ukraine's Kharkiv.

  • First case of Omicron confirmed in Himachal’s Mandi district where PM Modi is to attend a function on Monday

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Even as the national capital Delhi imposed a night curfew which will come into effect from Monday, Himachal Pradesh confirmed one case of Omicron variant of Covid-19.

    According to reports, a 45-year-old woman who returned from Canada recently tested positive for the Omicron variant on Sunday. Strangely enough, she had tested negative for Covid-19 on Friday.

    The woman is fully vaccinated with Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

    The case has been reported in the Mandi district where prime minister Narendra Modi is to attend a function on Monday on the occasion of the completion of four years of Jai Ram government.

    Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of hydropower projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore at around 12 noon. Prior to the event, he will preside over the second ground breaking ceremony of Himachal Pradesh Global Investors’ Meet at around 11:30 AM.

    Meanwhile, India reported 6,987 new coronavirus infections and 162 deaths. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases with 108, followed by Delhi 79, Gujarat 43, Telangana 41, Kerala 38, and Tamil Nadu 34.

    The states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi have imposed night curfews. The union territory of Puducherry has imposed lockdown and night restrictions till January 2, 2022.