Massive tensions erupted in the Dalhousie region of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh after a violent clash between the police and a hotel manager led to the death of the latter on the evening of 31st December. The incident is said to have happened in the Nature Valley Hotel in Banikhet, Dalhousie after police allegedly uninvitedly entered the hotel premises. As per the reports, a minor altercation happened between the duo over an undisclosed issue leading to the death of the hotel manager.
After the incident that happened late at night, the employees and the staff of the hotel gathered on the premises and chanted slogans against the police. Later the authorities arrived at the spot and began an investigation by recording statements of the hotel staff members. Initial reports suggest that around 3 police personnel who allegedly visited the hotel premises uninvited are under probe.
Eyewitnesses of the incident claim that three police personnel arrived at the hotel following which a minor scuffle broke out between the hotel staff and the police. As the tensions escalated, two of the hotel employees including the hotel manager fell from a height from the hotel. While the manager died on the spot, the other employee suffered critical injuries. One of the police officers has also notably obtained injuries. The injured persons are being treated at the hospital.
This is really disgusting happening in Himachal Pradesh
— Siddharth Bakaria (@SidHimachal) January 1, 2025
Residents in Banikhet Dalhousie are protesting after the alleged killing of a hotel general manager by Himachal Police officers on New Year’s Eve, which also left a staff member critically injured. pic.twitter.com/W4WAUFdFSe
The manager’s brother-in-law communicated to the media over the incident and has accused the police of murder. He revealed that the entire incident had been captured on the hotel’s CCTV cameras and that the police were investigating the case. “While the physical scuffle is not visible, loud noises can be heard in the footage. Our family would not cremate the body until justice is served,” he said adding that though the authorities are claiming that 3 police officers are being probed, no such official confirmation has yet been obtained.
The locals meanwhile stated that the hotel’s outer premises were covered with bloodstains indicating that a major mishap had taken place. They also said that the 3 police personnel named in the case left from the spot moments after two of the hotel staff members fell from the hotel’s height. The situation remains tense as demands for justice continue.
We demand justice!
— Siddharth Bakaria (@SidHimachal) January 1, 2025
Rajinder, GM of Hotel Nature Valley, Dalhousie, lost his life in an alleged Spat with Himachal Police officers. Witnesses claim he was assaulted and punched by police, leading to his tragic death. How can this happen in a peaceful state like Himachal? 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tvipRbRICX
The hotel owner also commented on the matter and stated that he was not present during the incident but learned that three police personnel had arrived at the hotel in an Alto car. “The officers were singing and dancing and later got into an argument with the front office employee. The three had not been invited by any of our staff members, nor by hotel authorities. The hotel lacks night-vision cameras, but footage up to midnight was captured as the lights were on,” he said identifying a policeman in uniform in the footage and mentioning that the injured employee had been attacked in the face. The owner further emphasized that a fight had occurred at the hotel in his absence.
Notably, the police who had arrived at the site refrained from making any statements on the matter at present. Meanwhile, the enraged hotel staff and locals are protesting in the premises around the hotel demanding immediate action and the arrest of the police personnel involved. The investigating officers have assured investigation and said that strict action shall be taken against the personnel involved.
The enraged protesting locals have blocked Banikhet Chowk causing significant disruption within the area. Investigations are underway.