Opposition Slams Government Over Law and Order in Himachal, 14 Drug Overdose Deaths in 2025: Jairam Thakur Raises Alarm in Assembly

Shimla, March 24: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed intense uproar on March 24 as the opposition presented a cut motion on the state’s law and order situation during the discussion on the budget estimates for 2025-26. The opposition sharply criticized the government for the deteriorating security scenario, highlighting issues such as rising drug abuse, the mining mafia, extortion, shootouts, and the failure to investigate the suspicious death of Vimal Negi through a CBI inquiry.

Jairam Thakur’s Allegations:

Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of a complete breakdown in law and order. Thakur claimed that since the beginning of 2025, there had been alarming statistics, with over 21 murders and 14 drug overdose deaths already reported. He alleged that the government was hiding the true extent of the state’s law and order issues by presenting manipulated figures, particularly regarding drug-related crimes.

Thakur did not hold back, also alleging that the government was deliberately avoiding a CBI inquiry into the suspicious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer Vimal Negi. He speculated that a CBI investigation would potentially uncover significant corruption within HPPCL. He further claimed that during the past two years of the current government’s tenure, there had been more than 180 murders, over 600 rapes, and upwards of 2,000 thefts across the state. Despite these statistics, Thakur accused the government of misleading the public by downplaying the gravity of the situation.

“The government is hiding the truth by presenting false claims, and they are not addressing the increasing lawlessness,” said Thakur. He pointed to several recent incidents of violent crime, including robberies and shootouts in Mandi, attributing them to police negligence and inadequate law enforcement.

Chief Minister Sukhu’s Response:

In response to the opposition’s allegations, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu rejected the claims, stating that law and order were under control in Himachal Pradesh. He refuted the opposition’s assertions about rising crime and emphasized that Vimal Negi’s family had expressed satisfaction with the ongoing investigation. The Chief Minister also accused the opposition of politicizing the issue in an attempt to undermine the government’s efforts.

Sukhu questioned why there had been no CBI inquiry into the Ramswaroop Sharma suicide case during the previous BJP government’s tenure, suggesting that the opposition’s call for a CBI probe was politically motivated.

Opposition Walks Out in Protest:

The opposition, dissatisfied with the Chief Minister’s response, grew increasingly vocal in the Assembly. Raising slogans and accusing the government of evading transparency, the opposition members walked out of the House in protest. Thakur continued to assert that the government was attempting to suppress the truth and pressure Vimal Negi’s family into submission. He reiterated that the opposition would stand by the Negi family and continue to expose what he described as the government’s attempt to avoid accountability.

As the opposition left the Assembly, the uproar was a clear indication of the growing tension between the ruling party and opposition over the law and order situation in the state. The debate on drug abuse, crime rates, and the call for a transparent investigation into Negi’s death is expected to continue to stir public discourse in Himachal Pradesh in the coming days.

The standoff in the Assembly marks a critical moment in the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh as both the ruling party and opposition clash over the handling of law enforcement and the government’s transparency in key investigations.