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Shimla, June 13 — In a shocking incident in the state capital, a young man was brutally murdered by his own cousin at a hotel near Dhalli Tunnel. The accused is on the run, police said.
The incident came to light on Friday morning when staff at Hotel Grand Majestic found Akash Sharma (23), a resident of Chandigarh, lying dead in his room with his face soaked in blood.
Police said his throat had been slit and he was also struck on the head with a beer bottle.
Akash had checked into the hotel on June 11 along with his cousin Arjun Sharma (22), a resident of Panchkula.
They had come to Shimla to celebrate a birthday, said Superintendent of Police Shimla.
“The murder took place in the early hours of June 13 following an altercation between the two. The accused, Arjun Sharma, is absconding and fled the hotel on his motorcycle,” said SP Shimla.
The crime surfaced after the hotel receptionist, Manish Thakur, received a call from an unknown number informing that Arjun had confessed to his family about the murder. On checking the room, the staff found Akash’s body and alerted the police.
An FIR under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Dhalli police station.
A forensic team has collected evidence from the scene and a manhunt has been launched to trace the accused.
Further investigation is underway.
#ShimlaMurder #CousinCrime #HotelKilling #DhalliPolice #HimachalNews
Excise Dept’s ‘Liquor Seizure’ Show Falls Flat: No Data on Arrests, Fines, or Convictions; Gold Smuggling by Jewelers Ignored Too
SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Excise Department is busy patting its back after seizing 5438.771 bulk litres of illicit liquor and destroying 18,743 litres of lahan this year.
But let’s be clear — this is just surface-level clean-up.
No data on arrests, no word on how many licenses were canceled, and not a single figure on fines recovered.
It’s a flashy press release, but no one’s telling how many liquor mafia were actually put behind bars.
No court convictions, no follow-through. In fact, most of the seizures involve only petty bootleggers, small-time smugglers working at the fringes.
The big fish — politically connected liquor syndicates — remain untouched.
Hooch Deaths, No Justice
After the Sundernagar hooch tragedy in Mandi that killed over 30 people, one would expect systemic changes.
Instead, it’s been business as usual. No names made public, no convictions confirmed, and no departmental accountability.
The so-called crackdown is turning out to be just a cosmetic exercise, while the liquor mafia — shielded by political blessings — continues to operate freely across the state.
Gold Smuggling? Deafening Silence from Excise
During election season, the department seized several kilograms of illegal gold. Yet, no action followed, no jeweler was named or nailed.
There is a complete silence on that front. Is it that gold is smuggled during elections?
In cities like Shimla, Solan, and Mandi, where jewelers are openly looting customers amid skyrocketing prices, Excise officers have become fence-sitters.
Every year, there is an edition to jewelers market in Himachal.
The silence is not accidental — it’s the result of a well-oiled nexus between corrupt officials and high-profile jewelers, insiders allege.
PR vs Real Enforcement
Excise Commissioner Yunus may be promising strict action, but the public sees through the charade.
Without naming and shaming the real culprits, this "crackdown" looks more like PR window dressing.
Where is the data on jail terms, license revocations, or major fines?
Time for Real Transparency
The truth is bitter — lahan and illegal liquor seizures are small-time busts.
They make headlines but don’t touch the roots.
The real powerbrokers — liquor cartels with political links — are never touched.
And unless the department walks the talk with concrete, public accountability, the whole exercise will remain just that — a show.
#LiquorMafiaNexus #ExciseCoverUp #HoochTragedyJusticeDenied #GoldSmugglingIgnored
Bomb Threats via VPN Rattle Himachal—Police Trace One Sender Inside India
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh is on edge as police investigations reveal that all seven bomb threat emails received since mid-April were sent using VPN services to mask the senders' identities. At least one of these ominous warnings—targeting key government offices including the HP High Court—has been traced to a location inside India, raising serious security concerns.
The emails, received between April 16 and June 9, had triggered panic, especially the one that led to an emergency sweep of the high court complex last Sunday. According to police sources, the perpetrators attempted to cover their digital tracks using virtual private networks. But cyber cell teams have managed to zero in on one IP address which originated from within the country.
Cases under IPC sections related to criminal intimidation and causing public panic have been registered at police stations in Mandi and Kullu. “We’re using cyber forensics to trace the origin and motives behind these threats,” said a top police official involved in the probe.
Officials haven’t ruled out the possibility of more such hoax threats and are urging citizens to remain vigilant. The Home Department is reportedly preparing new SOPs for dealing with cyber-generated public threats.
#CyberThreat #BombScareHimachal #VPNTrail #HighAlert
Reckong Peo/Kinnaur:
In a major step to boost border tourism, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally inaugurated the much-anticipated tourism circuit at Shipki La—a high-altitude Indo-China border pass in Kinnaur district—on Wednesday.
Calling it a historic moment for the people of Kinnaur and the entire state, the CM flagged off the first batch of visitors to the newly identified Shipki La tourism belt, which will now be developed with upgraded roads, eco-friendly stays, and cultural exposure to tribal life.
Gateway to Frontier Tourism
Shipki La, situated at over 14,000 ft, has so far remained under tight security due to its proximity to the sensitive international border.
The area was previously off-limits for tourists. With this symbolic opening, the state hopes to tap into adventure seekers, heritage lovers, and those drawn to remote Himalayan landscapes.
CM Sukhu said, “We’re not just opening a tourist spot—we're opening doors to economic opportunities, homestay ventures, and local employment in this remote frontier.”
Local Tribes, Army to Coexist in Development
Authorities clarified that all security protocols and permits will remain in place, and tourism will be regulated in coordination with the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The initiative also aims to showcase Himachal's unique tribal culture, apple farming, and Buddhist heritage of Kinnaur.
Part of a Larger Plan
This move is part of the state government’s broader vision to promote border tourism in districts like Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Chamba.
A senior tourism official confirmed that similar plans are being worked out for Nako, Chitkul, and Sumdo, with infrastructure development already underway.
Trek Turns Tragic: Maharashtra Man Dies During Hike in Rohru
Shimla/Rohru:
A peaceful Himalayan trek ended in heartbreak after a 39-year-old man from Maharashtra, identified as Nitin Abhivant, lost his life while trekking in the Janglik–Buran Ghati region of Shimla district on Tuesday.
Nitin, part of a trekking group exploring the scenic high-altitude trail near Janglik village in Rohru subdivision, reportedly collapsed mid-way during the ascent.
Fellow trekkers and local guides immediately called for help.
Rushed to Health Centre, Declared Dead
The unconscious trekker was brought down with the help of locals and transported to a nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC). Despite all efforts by medical staff, he was declared dead on arrival. Authorities suspect a cardiac arrest, but a post-mortem has been ordered to confirm the cause.
Tough Terrain, Sudden Weather Shifts
The Buran Ghati trek, known for its rugged trails, sudden weather changes, and steep elevation gains, is popular among adventure enthusiasts.
However, experts caution that proper acclimatization and health checks are essential before attempting such demanding routes.
“This region is breathtaking but not easy on the body, especially for those coming from sea-level cities without acclimatising properly,” said a local medical officer in Rohru.
Safety Calls Renewed
The incident has reignited concerns over safety protocols in high-altitude tourism.
Local authorities have appealed to trekking organizers to ensure medical screening and provide trained guides, especially on less-monitored trails like Buran Ghati.
The family of the deceased has been informed, and arrangements are being made to airlift the body to Maharashtra.
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