Former Congress MLA Shot at in Congress-Ruled Himachal: Rising Crime or Vendetta ?

S Gopal Puri

Bilaspur: In a shocking incident on March 14, 2025, former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur was shot at his residence in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. The assailants fired approximately 12 rounds, injuring Thakur and his personal security officer (PSO).

Thakur sustained a bullet wound to his leg, while his PSO is in critical condition. Thakur was subsequently referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla for treatment.

Chief Minister’s Response

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the incident, stating, “I have spoken to Bambar Thakur and urged him to go to AIIMS, but he wished to be treated at IGMC Shimla, and the deputy commissioner has been instructed to do the needful.” He also assured that barricades have been set up on roads and highways to apprehend those responsible.

A Troubling History of Violence

This attack is not an isolated incident. On February 23, 2024, Thakur was assaulted outside a railway construction company office, leading to 11 arrests. Subsequently, on June 20, 2024, gunshots were fired outside a court complex targeting the prime accused in the earlier attack, resulting in the arrest of Thakur’s son and four others.

Additionally, on January 9, 2025, police re-arrested the prime suspect from the February attack in a related case.

Raising Critical Questions

These recurring incidents raise serious concerns about the law and order situation in Himachal Pradesh:

Safety of Public Figures: If a former legislator can be attacked multiple times, what does this imply about the safety of ordinary citizens?
Effectiveness of Law Enforcement: Despite previous arrests, the persistence of such attacks suggests deficiencies in the criminal justice system’s ability to deter and prevent retaliatory violence.
Political Rivalries and Criminal Nexus: The nature and frequency of these attacks hint at deep-seated political rivalries possibly intertwined with criminal elements, necessitating a thorough investigation into any such nexus.
Public Confidence: The audacity of these assaults in public spaces erodes citizens’ trust in the state’s ability to maintain law and order, potentially leading to increased fear and unrest.

A Call for Action

The repeated targeting of Bambar Thakur underscores an urgent need for the Himachal Pradesh government and law enforcement agencies to reassess and strengthen security protocols, address potential political-criminal alliances, and restore public confidence in the state’s governance and safety measures.

As investigations continue, the public awaits decisive action to ensure that such incidents do not recur, and that justice is served promptly and transparently.