
Former Bilaspur Congress MLA Bambar Thakur, his personal security officer (PSO), and one other person were injured after four unknown persons shot at them with pistols in Bilaspur on Friday.
Injured Bambar Thakur, who has been hit by a bullet in his thigh, has been taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, for treatment; his PSO, who was hit by bullets in the abdomen and thigh, has been admitted to AIMS Bilaspur and is stated to be in critical condition.
An eyewitness to the incident, Vikas, in a video, said, “Former MLA Bambar Thakur, along with five persons, was celebrating Holi on Friday at the government residence of his wife in Bilaspur when at about 3:30 pm four people entered the premises; one of them aimed at Thakur and started firing from a close range; we pulled away Thakur behind a vehicle, but the assailant continued firing.”
“On hearing the gunshots, his PSO came out, and when he was loading, he was also hit by bullets. I was hit by a bullet in my foot. At least 12 rounds were fired by the assailants; they were given a chase, but they managed to flee,” he added.
SP Bilaspur Sandeep Dhawal said, “The police have registered an FIR against four unknown persons, and the investigation is on; all borders of the district have been sealed, and frenetic efforts are being made to arrest the culprits.”
Bambar Thakur was also assaulted on February 23, 2024, and a case was registered against 11 persons. On June 20, 2024, five persons, along with the son of Thakur, were booked for firing gunshots in the Bilaspur court premises during the hearing of the case.