Shimla, May 22
A delegation of the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti submitted a memorandum to Kavinder Gupta, raising concerns over alleged illegal encroachments and changing demographic patterns in Shimla. The committee alleged that a “tehbazari mafia” is active in the city and accused a particular group of carrying out planned permanent encroachments in public areas.
Committee convener Vijay Sharma claimed that Himachal Pradesh’s demographic structure is rapidly changing and demanded strict action against illegal occupations. He alleged that Municipal Corporation teams faced threats while attempting to remove encroachments in Shimla’s Lift and Mall Road areas. Sharma also questioned how multiple members of the same family allegedly received tehbazari licences and called for an investigation into properties, arms licenses, and expensive vehicles linked to those involved.
The committee urged the government to prioritize local Himachalis in the bazari allotments and take immediate measures to curb illegal encroachments. It also called for stricter monitoring and verification processes, claiming the issue poses a serious threat to the identity and social balance of the hill state.
