Himachal Police Probes Social Media Threat Against Deputy CM and MLA; Calls Grow for Faster Government Response to Curb Online Intimidation
The Himachal Pradesh Police has launched a formal investigation into a disturbing online threat made against Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Congress MLA Rakesh Kalia, sparking concerns over the misuse of social media to spread indirect but dangerous messages of violence.
The incident has reignited calls for the government to adopt faster and more robust mechanisms to monitor and respond to such threats before they escalate.
According to officials, the threat came to light after a Facebook post referencing the arrest of notorious gangster Amrish Rana garnered inflammatory comments in the discussion thread.
One user wrote, “The people are demanding the sword again,” which was followed by a chilling response: “This time it will be used on a politician only.” When another user inquired about the reason behind such a statement, the individual added, “Only the Deputy CM and MLA Rakesh Kalia would know.”
Concerned by the ominous tone of the exchange, a local resident named Arun Kumar reported the matter to the authorities. The Haroli Police Station promptly registered a case late Thursday evening and began a formal probe.
Both Agnihotri, who represents the Haroli constituency, and Kalia, the MLA from Gagret, belong to Una district, where the incident was reported. While the two political leaders have not issued any public statements yet, the police confirmed that a cyber investigation unit has been deployed to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible.
Gangster Link Under Probe
Authorities are also probing whether those involved in making the threats have any direct or indirect links with gangster Amrish Rana, whose recent arrest appears to have triggered the conversation.
“We are currently in the process of tracing the IP addresses and digital footprints of the individuals involved,” said Una Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav, adding, “Our cybercrime unit is working actively and we are confident that the culprits will be arrested soon.”
Growing Need for Swift Government Action
This incident has once again raised serious questions about the pace and effectiveness of official responses to digital threats, especially those targeting public figures and elected representatives.
Experts argue that the current framework for tracking, evaluating, and neutralizing such threats is too slow and reactive, often allowing threats to go viral or remain unchecked for critical hours or days.
There is a growing consensus that governments—both at the state and central levels—must implement faster, more predictive mechanisms to flag and address such hostile content.
Artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems, real-time coordination with social media platforms, and special fast-track legal processes for cyber threats are among the recommendations being widely discussed by security analysts and lawmakers.
Political threats, even when phrased vaguely, contribute to a climate of fear and intimidation that undermines democratic processes.
Swift and visible action against such behavior is necessary not just for the safety of the targeted individuals but to deter future threats and reinforce public trust in governance and law enforcement.
As the Himachal Pradesh Police continues its investigation, the incident is being seen as a test case for how well Indian institutions can adapt to the evolving challenges of online hate, targeted harassment, and politically motivated digital intimidation.
