In yet another grim reminder of the rising tide of political violence in the country, 35-year-old Youth Congress activist Ashu Puri was gunned down shortly after stepping out of a birthday celebration at a private hotel in Lalsingi village, on the outskirts of Himachal Pradesh’s Una district, late Wednesday night.
The murder comes at a time when politically motivated killings — from election-related violence in Bihar to the recent assassination of an RSS functionary in Punjab’s Ferozepur — have sharply escalated, raising deep concerns about the rapidly deteriorating political climate and public safety.
The Incident
According to police, the shooting occurred around 12:15 am in the parking area of Raizada Hotel, which is owned by a senior Congress leader.
Forensic teams recovered two empty bullet shells, confirming that multiple shots were fired. Puri was hit by two bullets and died on the spot.
The accused — identified as Gurjeet Mann, Parminder Singh, and Purjinder Singh — are all residents of Una district and, strikingly, all reportedly affiliated with the Congress as well.
In a violent retaliation by Puri’s supporters, two of the suspects suffered deep cuts inflicted by sharp-edged weapons.
They were first taken to a local hospital before being shifted to PGIMER Chandigarh, where they remain in stable condition.
Latest Updates
- Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
- CCTV footage from the hotel premises has been seized and is under examination.
- Initial investigation suggests the victim and the accused were attending two separate birthday parties at the same venue before the clash erupted in the parking lot.
- Statements indicate the altercation began when the accused allegedly abused and threatened Puri and his group before opening fire.
- The FIR was filed based on a statement from Akash, a colleague of the victim.
- Police say the exact motive — whether personal, political, or factional — is still being investigated.
Rising Wave of Political Violence
The killing of Ashu Puri is not an isolated incident. India has witnessed an unsettling jump in political murders in recent months:
- Bihar election violence saw a series of politically aligned killings, including the murder of party workers and local leaders during the state polls.
- In Punjab’s Ferozepur, an RSS activist, Naveen Arora, was shot dead recently, with the pro-Khalistan group “Sher-e-Punjab Brigade” claiming responsibility.
- Earlier this year in Una, a resident, Rakesh alias Gaggi, was shot dead in broad daylight — another unresolved case that continues to haunt the district.
This disturbing pattern has triggered widespread fear, with locals expressing anxiety over the deteriorating law and order situation.
Political Reactions
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur condemned the murder, stating that the incident exposed a “worsening security environment” in Himachal Pradesh. Citing earlier killings, he accused the government of failing to ensure basic safety for ordinary citizens.
Puri, a resident of Santokhgarh and involved in the mining business, leaves behind his wife, parents, and younger brother.
He was also a former Youth Congress President of the Una Assembly constituency, adding a political dimension to the tragedy.
As investigators piece together the sequence of events, the killing has deepened concerns about escalating factional tensions, intra-party rivalries, and the fragile state of political discourse nationwide.
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