"Based on CCTV footage, teams have been deployed on field": Bilaspur SP on ex-Congress MLA firing case
Mar 15, 2025

Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 15 : Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal on Saturday affirmed that based on CCTV footage and their leads, police teams have been deployed on the field to catch the culprits involved in the attack on former Congress MLA Bumber Thakur.
Speaking to the media, SP Dhawal said that they have not been able to identify the culprits yet.
"We have not been able to identify these individuals yet. Based on CCTV footage and our leads, we have formed teams and deployed them to the field. We hope that some of these individuals will be arrested very soon. Since this is a very sensitive matter, we are trying to use all the technical inputs available to extract leads from the case and reach the culprits," he said.
"We are questioning many people, and our effort is to catch these individuals as soon as possible. CCTV footage suggests that the weapons used in the incident are country-made," the SP said.
BJP MLA from Bilaspur, Trilok Jamwal, condemned the incident.
"I condemn this incident. Ever since the Congress government came to power in the state, the law and order situation here has been in shambles. What were our police, CID, and the intelligence department doing? Our district police administration detained some people with a rifle about a month ago, yet they did not arrest anyone. That is why this incident happened. Today, BJP Bilaspur took out a procession of 400-500 people from the party office to give a memorandum to the Governor on behalf of the Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner, demanding the Governor direct the state government to arrest the culprits as soon as possible. Otherwise, on Monday, BJP District Bilaspur, along with Vyapar Mandal, will appeal to shut down Bilaspur," Trilok Jamwal said.
Former Congress MLA Bumber Thakur was shot at by unidentified assailants at his residence in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur, police said on Friday. Two other people, including his bodyguard, were reportedly injured in the attack.
Bumber Thakur, who was hospitalised after being shot at his home in Bilaspur on the day of Holi, said that it was the handiwork of "drug traffickers".
Thakur, who is recuperating at the IGMC Shimla Hospital, told ANI, "Drug traffickers shot at me, it is their work."
Further, Thakur alleged that local leaders were protecting these drug smugglers. The former MLA claimed that these leaders had even tried to involve his sons in drugs, an attempt from which his son managed to extricate himself.
"Local leaders and drug smugglers in Bilaspur have become akin to major power brokers. Their properties should be confiscated, and they should face the death penalty," Thakur said.
"I feel that my family is under threat from these drug traffickers and leaders. I am once again demanding security from the Chief Minister. Although I have been provided security, my family also needs protection. I have applied for a personal arms license with the Home Department, which is still pending with the Home Secretary. Had I been armed, I might have been able to save myself. I urge the Chief Minister to expedite this clearance," he said.