Month: July 2025

Follower of the Dalai Lama expressed their elation at his statement that Gaden Phodrang Trust will have sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation.

Speaking to ANI, several attendees of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference on Wednesday said that the Dalai Lama’s statement was a direct message to China.

General Secretary of Tibetan Women’s Association, Tenzin Nyima said, “His Holiness will be chosen by his office and the leaders of Buddhism from his office. So many Tibetan people were waiting for his message. So today he has given the statement, and we are very happy. And it also conveyed the message to the outsiders that no one has the right to interfere in the Tibetan traditions. Outsiders are not allowed to choose any successor of his, it’s directly a message to the Chinese government only.”

Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan writer and activist, noted that this was a great step taken by the Dalai Lama.

“This is great news and the first important step His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, has taken, where His Holiness declared that there will be a 15th Dalai Lama. His Holiness said that the decision is not his alone, said that for many decades, the Tibetans, the Buddhists around the world, especially people in the Himalayas from India and around the world, have asked him again and again that there should be reincarnation,” he said.

He said that the decision that there would be a 15th Dalai Lama is an important one.

“Today, he made this important decision that there will be a 15th Dalai Lama, and the first declaration that happened today. What His Holiness also said was that towards the end of the statement that the decision and the process will be carried out by Ganden Phodrang, which is directly run under His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. His Holiness said that Ganden Phodrang alone has the authority and no one else. So this is a clear indication that China has nothing to do with this. And, whatever China has been saying, they have nothing to do with the entire process of selecting the next Dalai Lama,” he said.

Tsundue noted that the Dalai Lama is healthy at the moment, but the decision is an important one.

“We also know that His Holiness, at the moment, is healthy, he’s doing fine. He’s meeting almost 400 people every single day. So these are great signs, and he had indicated today in this declaration that there will be a 15th Dalai Lama,” he said.

Tenzin Lekshay, Spokesperson of the Tibetan government in exile, also welcomed the decision, saying that the decision was an important one. Although she said that the Dalai Lama will now live further and is healthy. But the decision affirmed that only his office will decide who his reincarnation would be.

“He has been very consistent in the manner of whatever he has been doing. So for his incarnation, he is the sole legitimate power and authority, and he’s always said the right thing. The good thing is that he will live for another 20-30 years. So why should we worry about the reincarnation process at all? Let the time come, then he decides. So this time, because His Holiness is gracious, His Holiness is living, he’s vibrant, so what more joy we should have? Yes, it’s a clear message. The authority is with His Holiness and has been given to the Trust,” he said.

Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations of the CTA, Krma Choying, said that the current statement is a reiteration of a similar statement given by him in 2011. It stated that no outsider will be involved in the selection of the Dalai Lama.

“We didn’t know what kind of message he would give today, but by looking at the statement, it seems like the statement is more or less similar to the one he gave in 2011. His Holiness has promised to live up to 113 years, you know, so I hope we are not in a hurry. So I think whatever he says is his final decision. The incarnation is the prerogative of the Ganden Phodrang, the development of the Office of His Holiness, and so it is the Chinese government or any other individual who has no concern for any interference,” he said.

Nawang, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, said that he was happy to hear this message, just like other Tibetans.

“Very clearly he told that his reincarnation will continue in the future. That is a very good message. One reason to be happy today. This is also enough message to China. It means that the next reincarnation will be selected by our side, not by the other,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Tibetan Spiritual Leader, the Dalai Lama, stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a foundation established by him, can only recognise future reincarnations, and no one else has the authority to decide on the matter. This statement rules out any say for China in the process of naming the next Dalai Lama.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama stated, ” The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been established in the 24 September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition under tradition.” (ANI)

Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint filed by veteran filmmaker and actor Balachandra Menon.

The arrest stems from allegations Muneer made on social media, which Menon claimed were defamatory in nature.

She was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody.

The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. She is the first accused in the case, which was registered in 2024.

She reportedly made repeated derogatory posts about him on social media.

Minu Muneer also filed a complaint against actor and MLA M Mukesh, who represents the Kollam Assembly constituency and is a leader of the CPI(M).

Meanwhile, the arrest marks a new development in a controversy that has roiled the Malayalam film industry in recent months.

In a series of social media posts and subsequent interviews, Muneer had publicly accused several prominent industry figures of sexual misconduct and abuse during their professional collaborations.

In August last year, Muneer named actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, alleging both verbal and physical harassment.

She also mentioned Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and an individual named Vichu.

“I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasoorya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry,” she wrote, claiming the incidents forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai.

In a detailed account given to ANI, Muneer expanded on her allegations. “Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully… After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me,” she said.

She also accused actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju of making inappropriate suggestions about her hotel stay during a film shoot, describing his behaviour as “unprofessional and unsettling.”

The incidents she referred to reportedly date back to 2013.

The allegations surfaced in the wake of growing dissent within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following unrelated controversies that led to the resignations of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their posts in the organisation. (ANI)

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has approved a law to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Press TV reported.

Pezeshkian officially communicated the law mandating the government to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, which was approved during a public session of Iran’s Parliament on June 25.

Considering violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity by Israel and the United States regarding the country’s peaceful nuclear facilities, the Iranian government is hereby obligated to immediately suspend all cooperation with the IAEA, Press TV reported, citing a parliament resolution.

As per the resolution, IAEA inspectors will not be allowed to enter Iran until the security of the country’s nuclear facilities is ensured and the peaceful nuclear activities are guaranteed, which is subject to the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Earlier, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, criticised the IAEA for not condemning the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Furthermore, Iran is also contemplating imposing a ban on the entry of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who has faced criticism for facilitating the actions of Israel and the US against Iran, according to Press TV. Based on Grossi’s reports, the IAEA Board of Governors passed an anti-Iran resolution days before Israel’s strikes in Iran.

The resolution proposed by the UK, France, and Germany, and backed by the US, prompted strong condemnations from Iran and resulted in announcements of a new nuclear facility and upgrade of centrifuges to an advanced level at the Fordow enrichment plant, Press TV reported.

On June 22, the US conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Iran – Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. According to the news report, Grossi did not condemn the US action and faced criticism from Iranian officials. (ANI)

The Quad members unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, the Joint Statement from the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting stated.

The members, referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

“The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extend our heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery to all those injured,” the statement said.

“We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,” the statement added.

The statement also highlighted that the Quad launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to strengthen economic security.

“In the face of these challenges, we are proud to announce today key initiatives that the Quad is advancing to strengthen maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and support humanitarian assistance and emergency response across the Indo-Pacific. We are launching today the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, an ambitious expansion of our partnership to strengthen economic security and collective resilience by collaborating to secure and diversify critical minerals supply chains,” the statement said.

The leaders also launched Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to strengthen logistics and also planned to launch Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai.

“We continue to deepen our cooperation on maritime law enforcement cooperation through regional training initiatives, maritime legal dialogues, and Coast Guard cooperation. We plan to host the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise this year to strengthen shared airlift capacity and leverage our collective logistics strengths to respond to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently, providing support for regional partners. We also plan to launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai this year,” the statement said.

The statement further said that the countries have contributed to coordinate responses in the event of natural disasters in the region. For example- to support communities affected by the earthquake that struck central Myanmar in March 2025.

“We continue to coordinate rapid responses to regional disasters and collectively contributed over USD $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support communities affected by the earthquake that struck central Myanmar in March 2025. We will continue to counter foreign efforts to push false narratives and interfere with Quad interests in the Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.

The members said that the Quad is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“As the Quad continues to evolve, our four democracies remain committed to deepening our cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and ensuring our cooperation has an enduring impact on the region’s top challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. We look forward to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India later this year and the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Australia in 2026,” the statement said.

The statement said that the Quad was concerned about the crisis in Myanmar in the region.

“We remain deeply concerned by the worsening crisis in Myanmar and its impact on the region. We call on the regime to adhere to its commitment to a ceasefire, and call on all parties to implement, extend and broaden ceasefire measures. We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN’s efforts, including calling for the full and effective implementation of the Five Point Consensus in seeking an inclusive, durable, and peaceful resolution to the crisis. We call on all parties to allow safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance. We are also concerned about the impact of the crisis on regional security and the spread of transnational crimes. We are committed to fighting cybercrime and online scam operations,” the statement added.

The statement was agreed upon by the Secretary of State of the United States, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the External Affairs Minister of India, and the Foreign Minister of Japan after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday. (ANI)

The people of South Kashmir welcomed the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on Wednesday, weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, mostly tourists, after religious profiling. The 45-day pilgrimage will commence on July 3.

The pilgrims were received with warmth and enthusiasm at the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund as they made their way toward the holy shrine. Locals line up at the tunnel early in the morning.

While speaking to ANI about the positive shift in the region’s atmosphere, a local from South Kashmir said, “We are happy that devotees are visiting Kashmir for the first time after the Pahalgam attack. The youth here is happy. We are glad that we got this opportunity to welcome them again.”

“We are happy that devotees are coming here after the Pahalgam attack. We are here at the (Navyug) tunnel to welcome them,” another resident from Dudu told ANI.

A local from Dudu further added, “…The devotees are coming here from all over the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are here to welcome them…Kashmir is known for its hospitality…”

Security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is on high alert, especially along National Highway 44 (NH-44). Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra from Jammu, amidst multi-tier security.

J&K LG Manoj Sinha said, “Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has made excellent facilities for the Yatra. Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces have also maintained tight security. Devotees from all over the country are here. The enthusiasm is very high. The devotees of Bholenath have neglected all the terror attacks and have reached in huge numbers. I am hopeful that this year’s Yatra would be even better than the previous ones…”

Security in the whole Jammu region has been massively heightened for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Over 50,000 personnel, including those from the CRPF, Army, and Police, have been deployed, along with continuous monitoring through CCTV, drones, jammers, and facial recognition technology, along the route.

Proper arrangements have been made for medical teams, air ambulances, and emergency evacuation plans to ensure maximum safety during the pilgrimage. (ANI)

At least 51 people have lost their lives and 22 others are missing in Himachal Pradesh as torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides continue to wreak havoc across the state during the ongoing monsoon season, according to the latest official data.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), under the Department of Revenue, Government of Himachal Pradesh, released a cumulative damage assessment report on July 2, covering the period from June 20 to July 1. The report reveals significant damage to human lives, private properties, livestock, and public infrastructure across the state’s 12 districts.

“A total of 51 deaths have been reported so far due to multiple causes, including flash floods, drowning, landslides, lightning strikes, and road accidents. The number of missing persons currently stands at 22, with Mandi district reporting the highest — 10 deaths and all 34 missing persons — primarily due to flash floods and cloudbursts,” the SEOC said in its report.

The report further stated that 103 people have been injured in monsoon-related incidents. Extensive Damage to Property and Infrastructure

The state has reported damage to 204 houses, of which 22 were fully damaged (both pucca and kaccha structures). Additionally, 84 shops, cow sheds, and labour huts have been affected. The loss to private property is estimated at Rs 88.03 lakh.

Damage to public infrastructure is far more extensive, amounting to a staggering Rs 283.39 crore (Rs 28,339.81 lakh). The worst-hit sectors include, Public Works Department (PWD), Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV) and power sector.

Losses were also reported in health, education, rural and urban development, fisheries, and animal husbandry departments.

“These figures are cumulative and subject to updates as field reports continue to arrive. All district authorities are on high alert and conducting rescue, relief, and restoration operations,” the SEOC spokesperson added.

Among districts, Kangra reported the highest number of deaths (13), followed by Mandi and Chamba (6 each), and Kullu (4 deaths). The districts of Kinnaur, Shimla, and Una reported between 2 to 4 deaths, while Sirmaur and Solan reported fewer casualties.

On July 1 alone, seven new fatalities were recorded — one each in Bilaspur and Mandi, three in Kullu due to a road accident, and two in Chamba, also road accident victims.

The SEOC report also revealed that 84 cattle and other livestock have perished, causing further distress to rural families dependent on agriculture and dairying.

According to the SEOC’s month-wise compilation, June witnessed the highest human toll so far this year, with 132 deaths and 270 injuries. Cattle losses were also significant in June, with 830 animal deaths recorded.

The Himachal Pradesh government has activated all emergency protocols and is operating a 24×7 control room at SEOC. Public helpline 1070 has been issued for reporting emergencies.

As the monsoon progresses, the disaster management authority continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with district administrations to provide timely relief. (ANI)

The Foreign Ministers of India, the US, Japan, and Australia have announced the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative. The new flagship initiative will enable four nations to bring economic opportunity and prosperity to their people and the region, according to the factsheet released by the Office of the US State Department spokesperson following the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting (QFMM).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met in Washington, DC, on July 1 for the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

They welcomed recent and upcoming activities conducted by their four countries, as well as those in cooperation with partners, to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The four leaders announced key initiatives to strengthen maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity, security, critical and emerging technology, and support humanitarian assistance and emergency response across the region.

The factsheet released by the Office of the US State Department spokesperson following the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting (QFMM) stated, “Today, Quad Foreign Ministers are proud to announce the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, an ambitious expansion of our partnership to strengthen economic security and collective resilience by collaborating on securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains.”

“This new flagship initiative, alongside the high-impact programs and outcomes the Quad is realizing, will enable our four countries to bring economic opportunity and prosperity to our people and the region,” it added.

The Quad is expanding maritime law enforcement cooperation with the region, which will support efforts to curb illicit maritime activity, including piracy, drug trafficking, border security infringements, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The factsheet reads, “This month, we launched the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, which strengthens our interoperability and knowledge-sharing to best address unlawful maritime activities across the region. Quad partners have embarked as observers on a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter that has departed Palau and will disembark in Guam this week.”

The leaders announced that the Quad will hold its second maritime legal dialogue later this month to advance efforts to uphold maritime order.

The factsheet stated, “We continue to implement the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), including the increased provision of space-based collection and sharing of radio frequency data, analytical training, and capacity building. We intend to geographically expand IPMDA across the Indian Ocean region and continue to explore developing an IPMDA common operating picture.”

The Quad Foreign Ministers expressed their intention to hold the first Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) workshop in 2025, which aims to assess the capability gaps in the region and enhance maritime capabilities in consultation with regional partners.

They expressed commitment to ensuring a free and open region and promoting the prosperity of the citizens of the four nations and all people in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders stated that they aim to strengthen energy security across the Indo-Pacific and promote resilient supply chains and quality infrastructure projects that are transparent and secure.

The factsheet released following the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting stated, “The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative will strengthen cooperation on priorities such as securing and diversifying reliable supply chains, and electronic waste (e-waste) critical minerals recovery and re-processing. The Initiative will expand the Quad’s cooperation on supply chain resilience measures for critical minerals, and we look forward to coordinating with private sector partners to facilitate increased investments.”

The four leaders announced that they will launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership by hosting a transportation and logistics conference with Indo-Pacific partners in Mumbai in October 2025.

The conference aims to increase knowledge, facilitate dialogue, and exchange experiences on advanced port and logistics practices, and mobilise government and private sector investments in quality port infrastructure development, according to the factsheet.

This will complement the work Quad partners have done to boost infrastructure expertise across the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program. The Foreign Ministers of the Quad nations stated that they will continue to advance the Quad Partnership in areas of cable connectivity and Resilience.

This year, the US and India will host an undersea cables forum with participation from Quad partners to identify opportunities for digital infrastructure collaboration. This forum will encourage regulatory harmonisation, which supports more efficient access by Quad partner companies to identify opportunities for digital infrastructure collaboration. (ANI)

Congress leader Pargat Singh on Tuesday supported actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing controversy against him for collaborating with Pakistani artist Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ following the tensions between Indian and Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack in April.

While talking to ANI, Pargat Singh lauded Dosanjh for highlighting Punjab on the global platforms, including the singer’s performance at Coachella, showcasing Punjab culture at Cannes 2025 and other international events of the actor.

“I support Diljit Dosanjh. He made Punjab famous worldwide. He took Punjabi culture and Sikhism to the next level. Why shouldn’t we be proud of him? They troll, so let them troll. These trolling teams have no basis,” said Pargat Singh.

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah also came in support of singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh amid Sardaar Ji 3 controversy. The actor has expressed his support for Diljit, clarifying that the singer wasn’t responsible for the film’s casting, and expressed his disapproval of restricting personal interactions between India and Pakistan.

Taking to his Facebook handle on Monday, the actor wrote, “I STAND FIRMLY WITH DILJIT. The dirty tricks deptt of Jumla Party has been awaiting a chance to attack him. They think they’ve got it at last. He was not responsible for the casting of the film, the director was. But no one knows who he is, whereas Diljit is known the world over, and he agreed to the cast because his mind is not poisoned. What these goons want is to put an end to personal interaction between the people of India and Pakistan.”

He further expressed love for his “close friends and relatives” who reside in Pakistan.He wrote, “I have close relatives and some dear friends there and no one can stop me from meeting them or sending them love whenever i feel like it. And my response to those who will say, “Go to Pakistan”, is “GO TO KAILASA”

Diljit Dosanjh is facing a massive backlash from the film fraternity, social media and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) for working with artist Hania Aamir amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

FWICE has officially boycotted Dosanjh for his collaboration with Pakistani actress Aamir, stating that the singer-actor’s association with the Pakistani artists has allegedly “disrespected” the “Indian sentiments,” especially following the terror attack at Pahalgam on April 22.

“It is important to bring to your notice that the said film (Border 2) features actor Diljit Dosanjh, who has been officially boycotted by FWICE owing to his involvement with individuals and content that have deeply disrespected Indian sentiments, especially by associating with Pakistani artists known for their anti-lndia views, and participating in projects filmed in sensitive border locations like Pahalgam immediately following terror incidents targeting our armed forces,” the letter read.

FWICE has also issued a “noon-cooperative directive” to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh after his collaboration with Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’.

The film union body has demanded an unconditional apology from the actor for allegedly hurting the “national sentiments” and disregarding the “sacrifices” of the Indian soldiers by his actions.

After the massive backlash from the film fraternity, FWICE and social media, the makers of Sardaar Ji 3 have announced that they will not release their movie in India. (ANI)

India’s strong start at the World Boxing Cup-Astana, Kazakhstan 2025 gained further ground with Sakshi, Lakshya Chahar, and Jaismine advancing to the quarterfinals on Tuesday following their preliminary victories at the Beeline Arena in Astana.

In the women’s 54kg category, Sakshi put on a composed display to defeat England’s Charley Davison with a unanimous 5:0 decision in her pre-quarterfinal bout. Jaismine followed with a confident showing of her own in the women’s 57kg division, overcoming Azerbaijan’s Aynur Mikayilova by the same margin to seal her place in the last eight. Lakshya Chahar delivered a gritty performance in the men’s 80kg category, moving past Bulgaria’s William Cholov 4:1 in a split verdict, a release said.

Meanwhile, Manish Rathore exited the competition after a closely contested bout against Rui Yamaguchi of Japan in the men’s 55kg category.

Sakshi, Lakshya and Jaismine now join Sachin Siwach, Hitesh Gulia, Muskan, Minakshi and Sanju in the next round, underlining India’s strong start to the tournament in Astana. (ANI)

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday wrote to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, expressing “profound shock” over the alleged assault of two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officers in Shimla.

In his letter, Union Minister Gadkari urged a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the incident.

“I am writing to express my profound shock and strong condemnation regarding the recent brutal assault on Shri Achal Jindal, Manager (Technical) and site engineer, Sh Yogesh at Bhata Kuffer, Shimla. As per reports, both the officers were assaulted by the Minister of Rural and Panchayati Raj, Himachal Pradesh, Shri Anirudh Singh, during a site inspection related to highway construction works,” the Union minister wrote in a letter addressed to the Himachal CM.

“This incident undermines the dignity and safety of NHAI officers who are committed to the development of road infrastructure in the State. Such avoidable acts of violence against government officials entrusted with public service must be dealt with the strongest possible action,” Gadkari’s letter stated.

Gadkari also urged a “thorough and impartial investigation,” ensuring justice is brought to the perpetrators, and the security of NHAI officials working in Himachal Pradesh.

“Therefore, I urge your immediate intervention in this grave matter and request your government to take the following actions: 1) order a thorough and impartial investigation into this matter; 2) ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly in accordance with the law; 3) fix responsibility of concerned administrative and police officers for their inaction; 4) provide adequate security and protection to NHAI officials and contractors working in Himachal Pradesh,” the Union Minister said.

NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav also wrote to Himachal’s Chief Secretary asking for a detailed enquiry.

“The officers of NHAI have sustained grave injuries and were later hospitalised… In view of the above-mentioned incident, I request you to conduct a detailed enquiry into the matter, kindly, and all people responsible for the manhandling of NHAI officers be tried as per law,” the letter read.

Notably, an FIR has been registered against Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh following allegations of physical assault.

The case was filed based on a complaint by Achal Jindal, Manager (Technical) at NHAI, who has accused the minister of assault and verbal abuse during a site visit in the Bhattakufer area on Monday, following the collapse of a five-storey building.

The Dhalli police station has registered a case under Sections 132, 121(1), 352, 126(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have initiated a formal investigation. (ANI)