Attack on SDM: Accused sent to 3-day police custody
Hira Lal, a resident of Thunag in Mandi district, was presented before the court here today after allegedly assaulting the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mandi Sadar, Om Kant Thakur, last evening. The court granted a three-day police remand of the accused. The assault, which left the SDM with a broken tooth, occurred during an inspection in the Bindravani area, where Thakur was investigating illegal mining activities.
According to Mandi Superintendent of Police, Sakshi Verma, the police are currently questioning the accused to determine the motive behind the attack. Initial investigations suggest that the accused, who runs a chicken shop in the area, may have had indirect connections to illegal mining operations. The mining mafia, who reportedly use mules to transport illegal materials, often tie these animals near his shop. However, authorities have found no direct involvement of Hira Lal in the mining activities.
The SP said, “The investigation is focusing on whether the assault was a targeted attack linked to the illegal mining syndicate. The police are exploring all angles, including the possibility that the attack was orchestrated by the mining mafia to intimidate the SDM.”
“In a related development, the police have summoned several individuals for questioning, including three migrant labourers from Bihar — Suraj Rishi Dev, Prakash Rishi Dev and Tanveer — along with Puran Chand, the owner and driver of a tractor (HP 65-2933), Rajeev of Talyahar and contractor Jyoti, a native of Bindravani. All are suspected of being involved in illegal mining operations in the region,” the SP said.
