Public Anger Erupts in Seraj Against Minister Jagat Singh Negi; Black Flags and Shoes Thrown at Vehicle
People surrounding the minister's car.
Mandi, July 25:
Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi faced intense public outrage during his visit to disaster-hit Seraj on Friday. The protest reached a boiling point when demonstrators hurled black flags—and even shoes—at the minister’s vehicle, videos from the incident reveal.
Eyewitness footage shows angry locals shouting slogans and claiming that Minister Negi was “sent back from Seraj” with black flags and shoes. The minister had arrived in Seraj to assess the damage caused by recent natural calamities, but his visit was met with widespread opposition from both residents and political opponents.
Tensions Flare Over Forestry College Relocation
The unrest began earlier in the day, when BJP workers staged a protest during the minister’s visit. After inspecting affected areas, Negi arrived at the Thunag Rest House, where he held discussions with locals and public representatives. The primary demand: not to relocate the Government College of Horticulture and Forestry from Seraj.
However, the minister did not provide a clear response and stated that the matter was under government review. He then left the meeting for lunch, which further angered the crowd. The lack of a concrete assurance triggered a larger gathering outside the rest house, with hundreds of locals joining the protest.
Vehicle Surrounded, Minister Trapped
As the unrest intensified, police escorted Minister Negi to his car, but protesters quickly surrounded the vehicle, refusing to let it move. The scene turned more chaotic when the car finally exited the rest house gates. Protesters began pelting it with black flags and other objects. Some could be heard in videos shouting that they had sent the minister back with shoes and black flags.
Following the incident, the minister’s convoy headed directly toward Dharampur.
DC, SP Try to Calm Protesters — in Vain
Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan, SP Sakshi Verma, and DSP Karsog made repeated attempts to calm the angry crowd, but to no avail. Protesters voiced strong resentment over what they called insensitive remarks made earlier by the minister regarding the Seraj disaster. Many claimed he had come not with sympathy but to “rub salt in the wounds.”
Legal Action in the Works
SP Mandi Sakshi Verma confirmed that action would be taken against those who blocked the minister’s vehicle and threw objects at it. She said police are collecting and verifying video footage, and FIRs will be filed against the identified individuals involved in the incident.
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