Outrage in Mandi: Hindu Groups Rally Against Alleged Assault by Members of Muslim Community

Mandi, May 19:
Following an alleged attack on the Chauhan family by a group of 20–25 individuals from the migrant Muslim community near a natural spring on the night of May 13 around 11 PM, several Hindu organizations staged a protest rally in Mandi city today. The demonstrators demanded strict action against all those involved in the incident and raised concerns over the handling of the case by the police.

Protesters marched through the city, raising slogans and voicing anger over what they termed police inaction and bias. After submitting a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan, the victim’s family and community members also met Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma, urging justice for the assaulted family.

Bhagat Ram Chauhan, head of the affected family, stated that despite a week passing since the incident, the police had not yet recorded their statements. While an FIR has been filed, he claims that no arrests have been made so far, even though CCTV footage clearly shows the assailants attacking his family with helmets. He further alleged that rather than taking action against the attackers, the police have registered a cross-FIR, which he believes undermines their case.

Speaking at the rally, Lekhraj Rana, regional minister of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Indraprastha zone, alleged that migrants from other states working in Himachal Pradesh have been involved in incidents of assault and robbery targeting locals. He expressed suspicion that many among them may have criminal backgrounds, and accused them of disturbing the region’s peace.

Rana demanded that the police and administration conduct thorough background checks of all such individuals and hold landlords accountable for renting property to those with questionable backgrounds. He added that a memorandum demanding strict action against those involved in the incident has also been submitted to the state government and the Governor via the Mandi DC.

The incident and its aftermath have sparked fresh debate in the region over law enforcement, communal tensions, and migration policies, prompting calls for tighter scrutiny and more decisive police action.