Old photo used for indicative purpose only
Three CITU leaders arrested over disruption of Shimla Municipal Corporation meeting
Shimla, May 30
Three leaders associated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) were arrested by Shimla Police on Friday in connection with the alleged disruption of the Shimla Municipal Corporation’s General House meeting held a day earlier.
According to a statement issued by the district police, an FIR (No. 68/2026) was registered at Sadar Police Station under Sections 132, 189(2), 191(2), 221 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint filed by Dr. Bhuvan Sharma, Additional Commissioner of the Shimla Municipal Corporation.
The complaint alleged that during the General House meeting held at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on May 29, certain individuals forcibly entered the meeting venue, raised slogans and obstructed official proceedings, leading to a law and order situation.
Police said that during the investigation, statements of witnesses, CCTV footage, video recordings and other evidence were examined. Based on the findings, three persons were arrested on May 30.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vijendra Mehra (48), a resident of AGPO Shimla and State President of CITU Himachal Pradesh; Balak Ram (45), a resident of Chitkara Park and district treasurer of CITU; and Vivek Kashyap (48), a resident of Shanan, Malyana and district secretary of the trade union.
Police stated that Vijendra Mehra has been involved in around 50 criminal cases in the past, while Balak Ram and Vivek Kashyap have previously been named in 10 and two criminal cases respectively. The investigation is continuing and the role of other persons allegedly involved is also being examined.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and CITU strongly condemned the arrests, terming the police action “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional.” In a statement issued by CITU State Treasurer Jagat Ram, the organisation demanded the immediate release of the three leaders.
The union maintained that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to peacefully protest and raise their demands. It alleged that the Municipal Corporation administration was attempting to suppress the ongoing agitation of SEHB Society employees through police action.
CITU warned that if the arrested leaders are not released immediately and the demands of the terminated employees are not addressed, the organisation would launch statewide protests against the state government and the Shimla Municipal Corporation.
The labour organisation said the dispute stems from alleged reductions in annual wage increments of SEHB Society employees by the Municipal Corporation administration. It claimed that 41 employees were terminated during an earlier phase of the agitation. Employees had observed a complete strike from May 15 to May 21, following which an agreement was reportedly reached between the union and the Municipal Corporation.
According to CITU, the corporation had agreed to restore the disputed wage increments and reinstate the terminated workers. However, the union alleged that these commitments have not been implemented fully, forcing employees to resume their agitation.
CITU has demanded immediate reinstatement of the terminated workers and full implementation of the May 21 agreement.
The Municipal Corporation has not yet issued a separate response to the allegations made by the union. The matter remains under police investigation.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
