Murder, mob violence leave village in Himachal Pradesh shaken, divided

With tensions simmering, curfew is in force across Salooni sub-division.

4 min readChambaUpdated: Jun 18, 2023 05:32 AM IST

Himachal Pradesh mob violence, Himachal Pradesh violence, Himachal Pradesh government, Himachal Pradesh murder, Indian Express, India news, current affairs

Chamba SP Abishek Yadav said police have arrested 11 persons, including Hussain and four minors who were sent to a juvenile home. “All the weapons involved in the crime were recovered,” Yadav told reporters.

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Murder, mob violence leave village in Himachal Pradesh shaken, divided

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The brutal murder of a 21-year-old herder has sparked tensions in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, with a mob burning down two houses of the accused in the village of Sanghni on Thursday. The accused, 40-year-old Musaffir Hussain, allegedly killed Manohar and chopped his body into pieces before dumping it in a drain.

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With tensions simmering, curfew is in force across Salooni sub-division.

While CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has called for calm, leader of opposition and his predecessor Jai Ram Thakur has demanded an NIA investigation, alleging that Hussain was also questioned by the police in the 1998 Satrundi shootout in which militants had gunned down 35 people. On Saturday, the BJP held demonstrations across the state and accused the government of barring Thakur from entering Salooni to meet the victims’ family.

Police said Hussain suspected that Manohar was in a relationship with his minor niece. A reclusive cattle merchant who lived on a hilltop, Hussain allegedly invited Manohar to his house where he killed him.

It was on June 6 that Manohar, the only brother of three married sisters, went missing. A matriculate who helped his shepherd father, he had gone to graze his dozen-odd mules on the hilltop. Three days later, his remains were found in three bags dumped in a stream. A case of murder was registered at Kihar police station in Chamba.

On Thursday, a mob of thousands gathered outside Kihar police station, damaged government vehicles and marched towards Sanghni, where they set the houses of Hussain on fire.

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“This is probably the first time something like this has happened in Chamba. I believe the tension will only escalate. Although Chamba is generally a calm place, when something does occur, it tends to have a lasting impact,” said Rakesh Sharma, a 21-year-old student and resident of Salooni.

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A government employee in Salooni said: “The minority community (Muslims) has been living here for as long as us, not just for the past few decades. They are part and parcel of this society, but this incident has shattered our faith. The brutal manner in which the murder was committed is the main cause of tension.”

Advocate Liyakat Ali, a resident of Jaladi village close to Sanghni, says there is fear in the hamlet. “While the situation appears normal now, we cannot rule out any possibilities. The police presence is reassuring, but there is still a sense of fear. Musaffir Hussain’s burnt property in village Sanghni, not far from my house, is rarely visited by him. He primarily stays in his house on a hilltop.”

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While Jai Ram Thakur had alleged that Hussain had exchanged cash amounting to Rs 95 lakh after demonetisation and had Rs 2 crore in his bank account, Chamba DC Apurv Devgun said they have been able to find only 11 lakh in the family bank accounts including their fixed deposits.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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