The attack on former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur at his residence in Bilaspur on Friday has taken a dramatic turn, with Thakur alleging that the drug mafia, known as "Chitta mafia," was behind the assault.
He further accused the BJP MLA from Bilaspur, Trilok Jamwal, of being involved in the incident.
Thakur sustained serious injuries after multiple gunshots were fired at him and his Personal Security Officer (PSO) during Holi celebrations in broad daylight. The assailants, who remain unidentified, allegedly fled the scene after firing 12 rounds.
Thakur is currently receiving medical treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla as police continue their investigation.
Authorities have detained several individuals in connection with the attack, but no official arrests have been made yet. This is not the first time Thakur has been targeted, as he was also assaulted in February 2024 on the outskirts of Bilaspur following a scuffle.
Additionally, his son was allegedly involved in a firing incident near the Bilaspur court complex in June 2024, targeting one of the accused from the February attack.
Thakur’s accusations have sparked a political controversy, with BJP MLA Trilok Jamwal refuting the allegations and claiming the incident was the result of a gang war. Condemning the attack, Jamwal expressed his concern over the law-and-order situation, stating that gunfire in broad daylight at a former MLA’s residence was alarming.
He urged the police to act swiftly and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended. The BJP in Bilaspur has already submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner, demanding immediate action.
Jamwal further stated that Bambar Thakur’s son had been involved in a previous firing incident, reinforcing the notion that the attack was linked to gang rivalries rather than political motivations.
He criticised the Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh, accusing it of allowing various mafias to flourish, including the mining, land, and contract killing mafias, with the Chitta mafia being the most dangerous.
He claimed that such incidents were making the state unsafe and urged the government to at least ensure the protection of its own party leaders.
The BJP has warned that if the police fail to arrest the culprits by Sunday, they will call for a ‘Bilaspur Bandh’ in protest. The situation remains tense as political leaders continue to trade accusations while law enforcement authorities work to resolve the case.
Also Read: Former Himachal Congress MLA shot, hospitalised
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