DM imposes firearms ban in Chaithla amid Apple orchard eviction drive
Shimla, July 12,
A move to ensure the smooth enforcement of a Himachal Pradesh High Court order regarding illegal apple orchards on forest land, the District Magistrate of Shimla, Anupam Kashyap (IAS), has invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, banning possession and movement of firearms in Chaithla village, Tehsil Kotkhai, from July 11 to July 18, 2025.
The directive comes after reports from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kotkhai and the Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla, raised serious concerns about potential law and order disturbances during the implementation of the High Court’s directions in CWPIL No. 17 of 2024 and CWPIL No. 09 of 2015.
These PILs involve the removal of apple orchards from encroached forest land—a process that has previously faced stiff resistance from locals.
The SDM’s office has highlighted the possibility of firearms being present among some residents likely to be impacted by the High Court’s directive, particularly in Village Chaithla. Past incidents of obstruction against government officials during eviction operations have further heightened concerns of unrest.
In light of these apprehensions, the District Magistrate has ordered all residents, organizations, and NGOs in the jurisdiction of Chaithla village to refrain from carrying any firearms or ammunition as defined under the Arms Act, 1959. Only police, paramilitary, and other authorized government or security personnel have been exempted.
Moreover, all licensed firearm holders from Chaithla are required to deposit their weapons at the Kotkhai Police Station by July 12, and the weapons will remain under police custody until July 18.
“This order has been passed ex-parte due to its emergent nature and in the interest of public safety. Any violation will invite strict legal action,” the order reads.
This move follows the High Court’s July 2 directive mandating the Forest Department to remove apple trees from previously encroached forest land and recover the cost of removal from encroachers as arrears of land revenue. The court had also authorized the issuance of bailable warrants against individuals obstructing the eviction drive.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court, in its July 2, 2025 order, directed the Forest Department to remove all apple orchards from forest land that had previously been encroached upon and where evictions had already taken place. The court noted that despite earlier dispossession, many encroachers were attempting to reoccupy land and obstructing officials. Emphasizing that apple trees are not forest species, the court also directed replantation of native trees and recovery of the removal cost from violators as arrears of land revenue. Bailable warrants were issued against persistent offenders, and district authorities were tasked with ensuring strict implementation of the order.
The district administration is now preparing for the forceful and legally backed implementation of the court’s directive in Chaithla, which has emerged as a flashpoint in the ongoing forest land reclamation campaign.
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