Dharamshala (S Gopal Puri/Munish Sood)
The tragic firing incident in Una district, which claimed the lives of a father and son, underscores the law and order concerns repeatedly highlighted during the Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s winter session. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri had warned about the growing influence of mafias in the state, and this incident seems to validate those apprehensions.
The double murder occurred in Haroli’s Badsali village, where Sanjeev Kumar (51), husband of the local panchayat Pradhan, and his son Ravindra (26) were shot over a land dispute. Eyewitnesses revealed that the attackers first targeted Ravindra. When his father intervened, he too was gunned down in broad daylight. Despite being rushed to the Regional Hospital Una, both succumbed to their injuries.
Una SP Rakesh Singh confirmed that the suspects have been identified, and investigations are ongoing. “The culprits will be apprehended soon. We are recording statements from witnesses and family members. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem,” he assured.
This shocking act of violence comes just days after the winter session of the Assembly debated issues of mafia activity in Una and other parts of the state. During the session, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri raised serious concerns about the influence of mining and forest mafias, particularly in Una. BJP legislators, too, voiced similar concerns, urging immediate government intervention. Even Congress minister Rajesh Dharmani admitted the active presence of forest mafias in the region.
Despite these acknowledgments, the session largely devolved into political blame games, with little focus on actionable solutions. The Una firing incident now serves as a grim reminder of the real-world consequences of such inaction.
Deputy CM Agnihotri has consistently warned against the unchecked activities of mafias, calling for stricter enforcement and better governance. His warnings, often dismissed as political rhetoric, now resonate deeply with the Una tragedy.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising urgent questions about the state’s ability to protect its citizens from escalating violence and lawlessness. It also highlights the broader issue of systemic failures in addressing disputes and curbing mafia influence, which often fuels such incidents.
As the investigation unfolds, the government faces mounting pressure to act decisively, not only to deliver justice for the grieving family but also to restore public confidence. The Una firing is a stark reminder that legislative debates must translate into effective action before more lives are lost.
