Munish Sood
MANDI: In yet another alarming display of tourist unruliness, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Haryana Police, along with two others, allegedly brandished a pistol at a Home Guard over an entry tax dispute near Kasol in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
The late-night incident occurred at the Sumaropa “SADA” barrier and has reignited concerns about growing indiscipline and aggression among visitors in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the official complaint, the confrontation took place around 11 pm when a car with a Uttar Pradesh number plate arrived at the toll barrier. Upon being asked to pay the entry fee, the occupants, reportedly three men and two women, began abusing the on-duty personnel. One of the men allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot a Home Guard employee on duty.
A scuffle ensued, the vehicle barrier was forcibly removed and the accused then moved towards a nearby tourist police post, where they again created a ruckus. The CCTV footage from the barrier captures the entire episode — showing one person stepping out of a white car, lifting the barricade and threatening the toll staff. In the footage, the Home Guard employee is seen retreating momentarily and returning with a stick, only to drop it again under threat.
A cross-FIR has been registered by the Kullu police, but locals alleged that this was part of a larger pattern of unchecked tourist violence. The locals have called for strict action under the Arms Act and cancellation of the FIR against the Home Guard employee saying he was only performing his duty.
This latest incident adds to a rising number of violent confrontations between tourists and locals across Himachal Pradesh, especially in high-footfall destinations like Kullu, Kasol, Manali and Shimla.
• Manikaran clashes (2023): Over 100 tourists, some carrying banned flags, were involved in mob violence and stone-pelting in Manikaran. The situation escalated to such an extent that the judiciary had to intervene.
• Stabbings in Kufri (2024): A dispute over snow boot rentals in Kufri turned violent when tourists assaulted shopkeepers with knives, leaving several persons injured.
• Kasol hotel assault (2025): In March this year, intoxicated tourists attacked a local hotelier in Kasol, vandalising the premises and injuring staff before being arrested.
• Recent violence (June 2025): Within the past few weeks, Himachal has witnessed at least four reported cases of violence involving tourists, including a brawl in Khajjiar, vandalism in Kangra and the assault of an NRI couple in Chamba.
