Sunil Chadha
DHARAMSHALA:
Once seen as a peaceful state, Himachal Pradesh is now facing the twin threats of drug abuse and organised crime, with the gang war culture emerging as the next major law and order challenge. After battling the chitta (synthetic drug) epidemic among youth, the state is now witnessing a worrying escalation in gang-related violence, with recent incidents in Una and Bilaspur highlighting how deep the problem runs.
From brutal daylight murders to social media threats and targeted shootings, the rise in gang activity, often linked to criminal networks from Punjab and Haryana, has alarmed police and residents alike.
Una killing exposes deep gang ties
The shock came on Sunday when Rakesh Kumar, alias Gaggi Jatt, a known history-sheeter from upper Arniyala in Una, was gunned down in a salon in Khwaja Basal near the national highway. The assailants fired multiple rounds, killing him on the spot and then fired into the air before fleeing.
Hours later, gangsters Laddi Kooner from Punjab and Venkat Garg from Haryana claimed responsibility on social media, tagging Mani Rana, a gangster currently imprisoned in Himachal. Their chilling message read: “This is just the beginning.”
Gaggi’s past includes cases of illegal liquor smuggling, assault, threats and even connections to the Mandi fake liquor scam. Police sources say this was not a random crime but a targeted hit, possibly triggered by inter-gang rivalries or old enmities.
Firing on ex-MLA Bumber on Holi signals boldness
The Una killing is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, on Holi, former Congress MLA from Bilaspur Bumber Thakur narrowly escaped a targeted firing at his residence. He and his security officer sustained bullet injuries.
The police suspect the attack could have been part of a gang intimidation strategy, especially given its timing during a major festival and its political target. Investigations are ongoing, with officers not ruling out criminal and political intersections behind the incident.
Social media turns new battleground for gangs
The most alarming aspect of this emerging gang culture is its digital footprint. Criminals are now using social media platforms to boast, threaten and challenge rivals in real-time.
Following Gaggi’s murder, posts from accounts linked to the Babbi Rana group and the “Vichitra Group” surfaced, promising revenge killings. A youth named Rohit Chaudhary declared openly that all those responsible would be hunted down, a message clearly meant to provoke and instil fear.
Una SP Amit Yadav said the police were closely monitoring all such online activity. “This is no longer a conventional criminal case. We are connecting dots between physical crimes and digital threats to understand the wider gang network operating across states,” he said.
Officials confirmed that some Himachali youths were being co-opted into these gangs as foot soldiers, lured by money, notoriety and social media fame.
In districts like Una, Solan, Bilaspur, and Baddi, criminal spillovers from Punjab and Haryana are becoming routine.
