BJP demands withdrawal of FIRs against flood-hit Seraj protesters

The BJP staged a massive protest here today, condemning the FIRs filed by the police against BJP supporters and disaster-affected 72 individuals who recently demonstrated during the visit of Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi to the Seraj Assembly constituency.

Negi had visited the area to review relief and rehabilitation efforts after the devastating June 30 rain disaster that claimed 42 lives in a single night in Mandi district. The BJP alleged that the FIRs registered were politically motivated and aimed at silencing those who were demanding better relief efforts and opposing the move of state government to shift college of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, to Gohar region in Nachan Assembly constituency after this disaster.

The protest witnessed the participation of senior BJP leaders like state in-charge Srikant Sharma, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, state president Rajeev Bindal, former minister Govind Singh Thakur and local MLAs Vinod Kumar, Anil Sharma, Dilip Thakur and Inder Singh.

Jai Ram Thakur accused the state government of targeting disaster-affected citizens with politically driven FIRs, including one allegedly filed for disrespecting the national flag. "They have left the first slot in the FIRs empty—perhaps for my name," he remarked sarcastically. Thakur further alleged that ministers were directly pressuring police officials to act against BJP supporters, calling it a dangerous precedent.

Thakur also highlighted the scale of destruction caused by recent monsoons, estimating losses at over Rs 1,000 crore. He criticised the government’s response, stating that only Rs 1 crore was allocated for PWD and Rs 2 crore for the IPH Department, which suffered estimated damages of Rs 500 crore and Rs 300 crore, respectively. He also raised concerns over alleged corruption in relief work, claiming that donated heavy machinery was being misused for generating false bills by Congress leaders.

Bindal stated that the administration tried to suppress the protest by claiming 90 per cent road closures due to rain. “Despite such tactics, people showed up in large numbers because they are angry and hurt. When they needed help, the government gave them FIRs,” he said. He said that it is an inhumane act of state government. FIRs should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Srikant Sharma accused the Congress government of arrogance and dictatorship, claiming it had failed disaster victims while harassing them further. He warned that if FIRs are not withdrawn, the BJP will intensify its agitation across the state.

Later, BJP gave memorandum regarding their demand to Governor of state through Deputy Commissioner Mandi Apoorv Devgan and requested him to ask the state government to withdraw these FIRs with immediate effect.

The BJP has vowed to take the issue to every polling booth, signalling further political escalation in the days ahead.