Shimla, June 19
Nahan, the headquarters of Sirmaur district, experienced communal unrest as two shops owned by members of a minority community were vandalized by a mob. A press statement issued by the Nahan police on their official Facebook account detailed the incident. On June 18, 2024, Rajkumar, the Deputy Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Banethi in Sirmaur, posted on Facebook alleging that a migrant individual from a particular community had slaughtered cows in Chhota Chowk Nahan. In his post, Rajkumar called on shopkeepers and local residents to gather at Bada Chowk Nahan on June 19, 2024, for a protest rally.
Responding to Rajkumar’s call, a crowd assembled outside the shops owned by minority community members and ransacked them. A video captured by a local journalist showed clothing shops being vandalized while the police appeared to be passive observers.
The police eventually dispersed the mob at Bada Chowk. An investigation by the district police revealed that the migrant individual accused in the post is actually a resident of Uttar Pradesh and has been in his native village for the past few days. The person did not upload any WhatsApp status in Nahan.
The concerned police station in Uttar Pradesh has been informed for further legal action. The Sirmaur police have refuted the claims made by Rajkumar on Facebook, asserting that the accused individual did not engage in any such activity in Nahan.
The District Sirmaur Police have urged residents to maintain peace and assured that they are thoroughly investigating the incident.
