Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government following the brutal killing of a 19-year-old college student in Sarkaghat, calling the incident a disturbing sign of worsening law and order in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur said the second-year student was attacked with a sharp weapon while on her way to college and died on the spot due to the severity of the assault. He described the crime as one that has “shaken the conscience” of the entire state, stressing that it cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident but reflects a deeper systemic failure.
Thakur expressed deep sorrow after meeting the victim’s family, saying their grief was beyond words. He noted that the victim’s father, a private driver, had spoken to his daughter shortly before the incident and was informed of her death just hours later. Calling the loss irreparable, he said no assurance could truly console the family.
While acknowledging that the accused has been arrested, reportedly with the help of local villagers, Thakur raised concerns about whether others may have been involved. He urged authorities to thoroughly investigate all possible angles to ensure that every link connected to the crime is uncovered.
Linking the incident to rising substance abuse, Thakur alleged that the accused was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s anti-drug campaigns, pointing out that despite identifying thousands of drug users, the administration has failed to prevent such crimes.
Citing official figures, he said that over the past three years, Himachal Pradesh has registered more than 6,200 cases under the NDPS Act and reported 66 deaths due to drug overdose. He also highlighted a surge in crimes against women, stating that such cases have crossed 1,850 in recent years, calling it a deeply concerning trend.
He further criticised the government’s response, alleging a lack of sensitivity and urgency from the state leadership. According to him, the absence of a strong public reaction reflects a disconnect between those in power and the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Thakur also pointed to infrastructural gaps, noting that the victim had to walk a significant distance to access public transport due to poor road connectivity, which may have increased her vulnerability.
Accusing the administration of inefficiency and lack of coordination, he said governance appears to have taken a backseat, with rising crime exposing serious lapses. He demanded a swift, transparent, and time-bound investigation, stressing that the issue goes beyond a single case and is tied to the safety and security of women across Himachal Pradesh.
“This is not just about one incident, but about restoring public trust and ensuring that such tragedies do not recur,” he said.