Political Turmoil in Himachal Pradesh: MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary Faces Allegations of Illegal Mining

Political Controversy Erupts in Solan

SOLAN: Ram Kumar Chaudhary, the Congress MLA representing the Doon constituency in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, finds himself at the center of a political uproar once again.

This latest controversy raises concerns about illegal mining activities and land encroachment, echoing a previous incident involving former Superintendent of Police Ilma Afroz, who has since been reassigned to Lahaul-Spiti.

Echoes of Past Issues

Chaudhary was previously implicated in a scandal when vehicles tied to illegal mining were reportedly linked to his spouse.

Ilma Afroz had taken decisive action by issuing fines against these vehicles, a move that reportedly displeased the influential politician. Subsequently, she was placed on leave for over a month and later transferred from Baddi to the remote Lahaul-Spiti district.

The opposition party, BJP, has claimed that this incident not only damaged the reputation of fair governance but also suggested that Chaudhary is shielded by high-ranking officials in the state.

Recurrent Issues Arise

Now, history seems to be repeating itself as Chaudhary faces fresh allegations of illegal mining and unauthorized occupation of government land in the Doon region. Local authorities, responding to community complaints, have confiscated three tippers and a mining machine allegedly owned by his wife.

These allegations extend beyond illegal mining. Residents and BJP representatives accuse the MLA of erecting unauthorized structures on public property, securing illegal electricity connections, and harming forest resources. Alarmingly, it is claimed that the same government land is being exploited under the pretense of 'personal development.'

BJP leaders, including Gurmel Chaudhary and Maan Singh Mehta, have led public demonstrations demanding swift action. Mehta questioned, “Last time, an honest SP faced repercussions for fulfilling her duties. Will history repeat itself?” highlighting concerns about potential political interference in the investigation.

Public Outcry and the New SP's Dilemma

The pressing question now is whether the newly appointed SP will uphold the law or if Chaudhary will succeed in sidelining another honest officer, as he allegedly did with Ilma Afroz. According to Shyam Lal, the in-charge of Manpur police station, a formal investigation is underway, and initial seizures have been made. “No one is above the law. Strict action will follow based on evidence,” he stated.

Chaudhary's Response and Community Sentiment

While the MLA has refrained from making a direct comment, he previously asserted in a newspaper interview that he was merely leveling his personal land for tree planting, denying any illegal mining activities. However, locals remain skeptical, especially with reports of 20-foot-deep excavations in the hilly area.

“This is not about development. It’s about the continuous misuse of public land and power,” remarked a protesting villager from Kishanpura. “If political protection occurs again, it will demonstrate that the law applies only to ordinary citizens.”