Scuffle at Shimla Secretariat: Man Slaps Guard, Claims to Be Congress Leader

Shimla, May 21:
A tense situation unfolded at the Himachal Pradesh State Secretariat in Shimla on Wednesday when a man, claiming to be a Congress leader, slapped a security guard during an argument over entry protocols. The incident occurred at the main entrance of the Secretariat, sparking commotion among officials, employees, and visitors present at the time.

According to initial reports, the individual attempted to enter the Secretariat premises without the mandatory entry pass. When the on-duty security guard asked him to follow protocol and obtain a visitor pass, the man reportedly lost his temper. What began as a verbal altercation quickly escalated, culminating in the man slapping the guard.

Eyewitnesses stated that the individual identified himself as a Congress-affiliated leader and claimed he frequently visited the Secretariat. He refused to comply with the entry procedure on the grounds of his regular access and reacted aggressively when stopped by the security personnel.

Other people at the scene intervened to defuse the situation. After a brief exchange, both parties reached a mutual understanding, and the matter was settled on the spot without further escalation.

No formal complaint was lodged by either the security guard or the individual involved, allowing the matter to be resolved without police involvement. However, the incident has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of security protocols and the influence of political connections within such a high-security government institution.

Entry to the State Secretariat—a sensitive and high-level administrative complex—requires all visitors to obtain a valid pass. This rule is considered essential from a security standpoint. The disregard for protocol and physical confrontation with security personnel has triggered widespread discussion in administrative circles throughout the day.

As of now, no official police action has been initiated regarding the incident.