24 houses damaged, 500 moved to safety
A day after massive land subsidence damaged 24 houses in Pernote village and a 500-metre road stretch between Ramban and Gool, at least 500 people have been shifted to safer places in government buildings and a panchayat ghar where they are being provided food, water, electricity and bedding, officials said.
Ramban deputy magistrate Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, who has set up a camp office near the affected site, said, “Around 500 people have been affected by the land subsidence. They have been shifted into government buildings and a Panchayat Ghar where they are being provided with water proof tents, food, water, electricity and beddings. We are also providing them with medical facilities.”
He informed that the land subsidence has partially affected Pernote village besides causing extensive damage to a 500-m road stretch.
“Responding swiftly to the road blockage on Ramban-Gool route at Pernote, we opened the Sumber-Digdole link road for light vehicles. This initiative ensured continued road connectivity and essential services for Gool sub division with NH-44,” the DC said.
Ambulances and medical teams have been kept on a standby.
Congress’ Mandi Lok Sabha seat candidate Vikramaditya Singh in the latest jibe at his opponent, Kangana Ranaut, said she lacks an understanding of history and facts.
“When did India get freedom? Who was our first Prime Minister? Even a child knows these things,” Vikramaditya said during his speech at Balh assembly constituency in Mandi on Friday.
Singh, who started his election campaign in Mandi on Thursday, also criticised an earlier statement made by the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate suggesting that India got freedom in 2014.
“What freedom did India achieve in 2014? Are you disrespecting the sacrifices of our freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country?” the Congress leader questioned.
“She describes India’s freedom in 1947 as mere ‘bheekh’ (alms). This is an insult to the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Sardar
Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and others,” he further added.
Vikramaditya further said, “I want to remind you (Kangana) that your remarks have even insulted Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Our country became a nuclear power during his tenure and we respect him for that. Only to make one person happy, you have disrespected even the BJP leaders.”
Singh while addressing the public said that workers were Congress’ identity and strength, saying his father respected every worker of the party and I have learned the same thing from him.
“I have come here to seek your blessings. We are moving forward with a new vision to serve our people. I request you to work on your booths and panchayat level and we will surely emerge victorious. We will become your voice in the Parliament,” he said, adding that the victory will not be mine, it will be your and the party’s victory.
Congress promotes nepotism: Kangana
BJP’s Mandi candidate Kangana on Thursday said that the Congress party promotes nepotism by providing political opportunities only to family members of its leaders.
She was at a Panna Pramukh Programme in Baldwara, her native Sarkaghat of Mandi.
The leader emphasised that within the BJP, even ordinary citizens and party workers are given electoral tickets.
“Congress party leaders,” she remarked, “doubt the integrity of the army, demean women and disparage our revered figure Lord Rama as imaginary. Under their governance, numerous scandals unfolded, whereas since 2014, the nation hasn’t encountered any such malfeasance,” she further added.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hit the campaign trail in Shimla’s remote DodraKwar, canvassing for party’s Lok Sabha candidate Vinod Sultanpuri. Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making failed attempts to destabilise the state government, he said, “BJP made a bid to grab power through money power, but failed miserably. People of the state will punish them for it.”
Listing out the state government’s achievement, he said, “We made budgetary provisions to increase the daily wages under MNREGA and HP became the first state to give MSP on milk.”
Congress will give a weak govt: BJP
The BJP also launched an attack on the Congress, saying the party was against strong leadership. “Their objective is to form a weak government by gathering MPs from different parties,” BJP’s state unit chief Rajeev Bindal said in Chambaghat.