Opposition Protests in Assembly, Alleges Protection to Illegal Activities

Shimla, Mar 19

On the second day of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly budget session, BJP legislators staged protests inside and outside the House, raising slogans against the government and accusing it of patronising illegal activities.

Thakur alleged that “mafia raj” is flourishing under the Congress government, with illegal felling of trees and mining taking place under political protection. Citing an example from Shillai in Sirmaur district, he claimed that while permission was granted for cutting 25 trees, more than 300 green trees were allegedly felled, with links to influential political figures.

He also referred to the Dharampur assembly constituencies, alleging large-scale illegal felling and attempts to destroy evidence by dumping logs into the Sutlej River and burying them using machinery.

The Opposition maintained that illegal activities are causing severe environmental damage and loss to state revenue, and demanded strict action. Thakur asserted that the BJP would continue to raise the issue both inside and outside the Assembly until accountability is fixed.