Himachal Pradesh News
Sarkaghat Murder Sparks Political Storm: BJP’s Rajiv Bindal Alleges Rise of ‘Mafia Raj’ in Himachal
The brutal murder of a teenage girl in Sarkaghat has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Himachal Pradesh, with Rajiv Bindal launching a sharp attack on the state government over law and order.
The brutal murder of a teenage girl in Sarkaghat has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Himachal Pradesh, with Rajiv Bindal launching a sharp attack on the state government over law and order.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Bindal said the incident exposes what he called the “hollow claims” of the government regarding governance and its fight against criminal networks. He alleged that the accused in the case was under the influence of intoxicants, raising concerns about drug abuse and its link to violent crime.
Allegations of Rising Crime and ‘Mafia Culture’
Bindal claimed that since the Indian National Congress came to power in 2022, incidents of serious crime have surged across the state. Highlighting past cases, he referred to a shocking murder in Chamba where a youth’s body was allegedly mutilated and dumped.
He also pointed to multiple incidents that, according to him, reflect a growing “mafia culture”:
- Assault on an SDM allegedly by the sand mafia in Mandi
- Gang wars and shootouts reported in Una
- Clashes linked to junk mafia in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt
- An incident in Chamba where a forest officer was allegedly tied and dragged behind a vehicle
These incidents, he said, have created fear and insecurity among residents.
Political Infighting and Governance Concerns
The BJP leader further alleged internal conflicts within the government, claiming there is a “tug of war” between Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Deputy Chief Minister, and Cabinet ministers. He also accused senior officials of being engaged in infighting, which he said is weakening governance.
Bindal went on to assert that under such circumstances, the Chief Minister has “lost the moral right” to remain in office.
Row Over Credit for Development Projects
Apart from law and order, Bindal also accused the state government of taking undue credit for projects funded by the Centre. He specifically mentioned the bulk drug park project, stating it was approved by the Government of India during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur under the BJP regime.
He alleged that the project has faced delays of over three and a half years under the current administration.
