Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi Faces BJP Protest During Visit to Rain-Hit Seraj; Reviews Ongoing Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts.
Shimla:
Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi faced stiff opposition from BJP supporters during his visit to rain and landslide-affected areas in the Seraj Assembly constituency of Mandi district—home to former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. The minister was in Seraj to assess the damage and review ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in villages like Thunag and Janjehli, but his visit turned politically charged amid protests over a controversial statement attributed to him.
BJP activists, led by local leader Bhisham Thakur, showed black flags and raised “Go Back” slogans as Negi arrived in Janjehli. The protest stemmed from a statement the minister allegedly made during the peak of the disaster: “Ab maza aaya Seraj ke logon ko,” which protesters called deeply insensitive given the tragic loss of 29 lives and widespread destruction of homes, farmland, and horticultural produce.
The tension escalated in Thunag, where Minister Negi was holding a review meeting with district and local officials. As the meeting progressed inside the rest house, dozens of BJP supporters, including women, gathered outside, demanding that the minister come out and engage with them. Upon exiting the meeting and boarding his official vehicle, the protesters blocked the car, refusing to let it move. Police struggled to control the situation and eventually managed to safely escort the minister’s vehicle out. However, as his convoy exited the premises, some protesters hurled shoes at the car, further highlighting the volatility on the ground.
The protests also had a political undertone, as tensions between Jagat Singh Negi and Jai Ram Thakur are well known. Protesters criticized Negi for also targeting Thakur, accusing him of only now understanding the pain of natural disasters after experiencing it in his own constituency. Negi’s remark was in reference to the 2023 disaster in Himachal Pradesh, during which the state government had asked BJP leaders to join efforts in appealing for central assistance, a request Thakur allegedly refused.
Relief Review Meeting in Thunag
Despite the uproar, Minister Negi continued with the official agenda and chaired a comprehensive review meeting in Thunag to evaluate the progress of relief and rehabilitation work. He stated that ensuring aid reaches every affected person remains the top priority of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Negi informed that over Rs. 2.14 crore has been disbursed so far in Mandi district under various heads, with over Rs. 1.35 crore sanctioned for Thunag alone to compensate for loss of homes and private property. Quick assistance of Rs. 58.71 lakh was provided, and over 4,000 ration kits, 865 blankets, and 5,172 tarpaulins have been distributed in the affected areas.
He said special attention is being paid to restoring rural connectivity. So far, 103 roads have been reopened, and 37 more are expected to be operational shortly. Under MGNREGA, 401 projects worth nearly Rs. 9 crore have started in Seraj, including 292 footpaths, 62 pedestrian bridges, and multiple debris-clearing operations.
To restore access to remote villages, temporary ropeways (jhoolas) are also being installed in Surah, Khunagi, and Dronu, with Rs. 19 lakh sanctioned. Additionally, Rs. 40 lakh has been allocated to the Public Works Department for debris removal in heavily impacted areas like Pandav Shila, Kuthah, Thunag Bazaar, and Sanglawara.
Projects Under SDRF
Minister Negi also announced Rs. 19.63 crore worth of mitigation projects under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). These include slope protection and landslide control works on key roads such as Kelodhar–Patikri, Mandi–Gagal–Chailchowk–Janjehli, and other routes passing through Lambathach, Auhan, Deji, and Dogra villages.
Damage Assessment and Losses
Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan provided a detailed report on the damages. In the Seraj block alone, the agriculture department reported losses of Rs. 7.31 crore, including 66 damaged polyhouses. In the Gohar block, 183 polyhouses in six panchayats suffered damage worth Rs. 5.12 crore. The horticulture department recorded a loss of 45,000 plants over 85 hectares in Seraj. Three gram panchayats—Bagsyad, Thunag, and Janjehli—suffered a combined horticulture loss of Rs. 5.5 crore. The total loss to the horticulture sector in Thunag subdivision is estimated at Rs. 25 crore.
The meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma, SDM (Civil) Ramesh Kumar, and senior officers from various departments involved in relief and reconstruction work.
While political tempers flared during Minister Negi’s visit, the state government reiterated its commitment to swift and inclusive disaster recovery, focusing on restoring connectivity, compensating losses, and preparing for future resilience.
