HP Assembly debates law and order issues fiercely

During the budget session in Himachal Pradesh, political tensions rose between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The main topic of debate was the state's worsening law and order situation and calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the recent death of a chief engineer. Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, criticized the government, claiming that it has left the state at the "mercy of God." He pointed out recent gang wars and rising violence as evidence of the government's failure to maintain law and order. BJP members highlighted various violent incidents, including a shooting involving a former Congress MLA, and called for stricter actions. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu responded by accusing the BJP of using the engineer's death for political gain. Vimal Negi disappeared on March 10 and was found dead on March 18. Sukhu vowed that there would be an impartial investigation and criticized the BJP for their political motives in the situation. Amidst the exchanges, the CM stated that law and order in the state is under control and shared statistics to support his claims. He noted that there has been a slight decrease in registered crimes since 2022 compared to the BJP's rule from 2017 to 2020. Despite this, the opposition remained unsatisfied with Sukhu's responses and left the assembly in protest. As a result, the assembly rejected the opposition's cut motion without their presence.