Jai Ram slams Himachal govt over samosa FIR, asks who’ll probe why 16 murders took place in 50 days

SHIMLA/MANDI: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has launched a scathing attack on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, accusing it of being directionless, dictatorial and anarchic.

Jai Ram Thakur ridiculed the administration for allegedly wasting police resources on tracing a missing samosa, while crime, drug abuse and illegal mining had spiralled out of control in Himachal Pradesh.

“The CID is now investigating who leaked the ‘samosa scandal’ to the media, diverting attention from real issues plaguing the state. In the last 50 days, 16 murders have taken place across Himachal. Just this month, five youths have lost their lives due to drug overdose, with yet another tragic case making headlines today.

Illegal mining mafia continues to operate fearlessly, digging up roads and bridges, even within a 200-metre radius of the SP’s office, with police turning a blind eye despite multiple complaints,” Jai Ram Thakur said.

Calls FIR on media leak an attack on press freedom

Jai Ram Thakur condemned the CID’s FIR in the samosa scandal leak, calling it a conspiracy to muzzle the media. He pointed out that IPC Section 353(2), invoked in the FIR, was being misused to intimidate journalists and suppress freedom of speech.

“This FIR is nothing but a threat to the press, a clear message from the Sukhu government that anyone exposing its failures will be targeted. More than two dozen FIRs have already been filed against journalists and common citizens who dared to criticise the government.

Now, the samosa scandal leak is being used as a new weapon to silence the media and curb the fundamental right of free expression,” he added.

Jai Ram Thakur also took a jibe at the Congress leadership, questioning Rahul Gandhi’s silence on his party’s government trampling over constitutional rights.

Seeks explanation on how samosa a matter of concern

Mocking the government’s “sensitive leak” claim, Jai Ram Thakur demanded that the Chief Minister clarify how many such “sensitive matters” had been leaked to the media in the past and what impact they had on the state’s security.

“The Chief Minister must explain how a missing samosa is a matter of state secrecy and how it affects public interest. Instead of behaving like a dictator, he should focus on tackling rampant drug abuse and illegal mining in the state,” he stated.

Jai Ram Thakur warned the government against imposing an undeclared Emergency in Himachal Pradesh, stating that such authoritarian tactics will not succeed. He urged the Sukhu administration to prioritise real governance over its obsession with media suppression.

TNR