Sunil Chadha
SHIMLA: A day after former Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Bambar Thakur was shot at in Bilaspur while celebrating Holi with his supporters, PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh visited him at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla.
Vikramaditya Singh assured strict action against the attackers, stating, “Such incidents are extremely concerning for a peaceful state like Devbhoomi Himachal.
The police are investigating and the culprits will soon be in custody. The government will take strong measures to prevent such violence in the future.”
The attackers, who are yet to be arrested, opened fire indiscriminately, injuring Bambar Thakur, his personal security officer (PSO) Sanjeev and a supporter named Vishal.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV, revealing four assailants at the scene, one of whom fired multiple shots. Despite the evidence, the attackers remain at large, raising serious concerns over law enforcement effectiveness in the state.
Bambar Thakur sustains three bullet wounds
Eyewitnesses said 10 to 12 rounds were fired during the attack at Bambar Thakur’s government-allotted residence in Bilaspur’s Chandra sector.
Thakur sustained three bullet wounds, while his PSO Sanjeev was also hit. Vishal, a supporter present at the scene, suffered injuries from bullet fragments.
Following the attack, Bambar Thakur was initially rushed to a local hospital in Bilaspur for first aid before being referred to IGMC-Shimla. His PSO Sanjeev was shifted to AIIMS-Bilaspur for further treatment. Doctors have confirmed that both are now out of danger but remain under close observation.
Brother sees chitta mafia’s hand behind attack
Bambar Thakur’s brother Devraj alleged that the attack was a retaliation against Thakur’s firm stand against the drug mafia in the region.
Thakur’s son Ishaan Singh took to social media and accused Bilaspur MLA Trilok Jamwal of orchestrating the attack. Jamwal has rejected the allegations as baseless. The statement, however, has intensified political tensions in Bilaspur.
Second attack on Bambar Thakur in a year
This marks the second attack on Bambar Thakur within a year. In a previous assault, he sustained injuries, including a broken tooth. The prime accused in that incident was later shot dead.
The police have registered a case and launched an investigation, but the delay in arrests has raised serious questions about security in the state. The incident has also triggered a political blame game, with allegations linking the attack to a larger network involving political figures and organied crime.