2 held for raping minors in Shimla

Two men have been arrested in Shimla district for separate incidents of child rape, the police said on Sunday. In the first case, a 15-year-old girl from Jubbal subdivision complained of stomach pain to her parents on Saturday. A medical examination revealed she was pregnant. The girl's parents filed a police complaint against their neighbour, accusing him of repeatedly raping their daughter over the past year. The police have arrested the accused and charged him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In the second incident, a 7-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her uncle while her mother was out of town on December 1. The mother filed a complaint, leading to the arrest of the accused. He too has been charged under the POCSO Act.

Unauthorised vendors removed

Shimla: Shimla Municipal Corporation officials took action against five unauthorised street vendors operating in Lower Bazaar. A team led by Tehbazaari Inspector Jyoti Prakash found these vendors without necessary permits. Their goods were confiscated. Many of these vendors, hailing from neighbouring states like Punjab, Delhi and Haryana, frequently visit Shimla during weekends to sell their products. Prakash highlighted the issue of overcrowding caused by these unauthorised vendors, which can hinder emergency response efforts. To address this problem, the corporation is developing a street vendor policy. Once implemented, only registered vendors will be allowed to operate from designated areas marked with blue lines. A recent mock fire drill in the market area emphasised the importance of maintaining clear pathways.