Kasol Market Firing: 4 Punjab Tourists Arrested — What We Know So Far
By North Desk Bureau
Chandigarh, May 31
A daylight shooting in the popular hill tourist destination of Kasol (Himachal Pradesh) has left one local youth injured, four Punjab tourists under arrest, and a fifth accused on the run — triggering fresh outrage over lawlessness at Himachal Pradesh’s tourist hotspots.
Here is everything known so far about the incident.
Kasol Market Firing: What Happened
The violence broke out on Saturday evening, around 6 pm, at Hotel Green Valley in Kasol market, located in Kullu district’s Manikaran valley. According to police, an argument erupted between a group of tourists from Punjab and local youth. The dispute — reportedly over a parking space in the crowded market — quickly turned physical.
In the middle of the brawl, one of the tourists allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired at a local youth, striking him in the leg. As the injured man was being carried away, the accused reportedly attempted to fire again, sending shoppers, traders and bystanders into a panic.
A video of a tourist openly brandishing the pistol in the market went viral on social media, amplifying the outrage.
Who Has Been Arrested
Manikaran Police Station responded to the Kasol market firing incident and arrested four individuals, all from Punjab:
- Manpreet Singh, 29, resident of Tarn Taran
- Aman Randhawa, 22, resident of Amritsar
- Sukhmandeep Singh, 17, resident of Ferozepur (juvenile)
- Karndeep Singh, 22, resident of Gurdaspur
A fifth accused, identified only as Taman of Batala, is absconding. Police have launched a search operation to trace him.
What the Police Have Said
Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal confirmed the arrests and said the weapon used in the firing and the vehicle used by the accused have been seized. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
SP Kaushal was firm in his warning: “Such incidents will not be tolerated in Himachal Pradesh. Any attempt to disturb law and order in Dev Bhoomi will be dealt with strictly.”
Police are currently analysing video evidence, speaking to witnesses, reconstructing the sequence of events, and checking the legal status of the seized pistol.
The Injured Youth
The victim, a local from Bagiyanda village, was shot in the leg in the Kasol market firing. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. His condition has not been officially confirmed by police. His identity has not been released publicly.
What Is Still Not Known
- Whether the pistol was licensed or illegal, and who it was registered to
- The exact trigger for the altercation (parking dispute is the most cited reason, but police have not officially confirmed this
- The whereabouts of the absconding accused, Taman of Batala
- How Sukhmandeep Singh (17) will be processed, given his status as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice Act
The Broader Pattern
The Kasol market firing is not an isolated incident. Himachal Pradesh’s tourism hotspots — particularly in the Manikaran valley — have seen a string of violent and disruptive incidents involving tourists in recent years.
In a separate incident reported this week, a group of drunk tourists from Punjab forcefully entered Hotel Kamal Palace in Kasol late at night demanding food, assaulted the hotel operator when told the kitchen was closed, and vandalised the property before being arrested. In another recent case, an eatery owner in Mandi was fired upon by bike-riding tourists. Visitors have also been reported damaging property at the Atal Tunnel for social media content.
In March 2023, over 100 motorcyclists from Punjab rioted in Manikaran, vandalising around 20 vehicles. That same day, a group caused a disturbance at the Green Tax Barrier in Manali.
Locals in Kullu valley have repeatedly raised alarm about tourists arriving in large groups, some allegedly armed, some intoxicated, and increasingly willing to confront residents.
North Desk will continue to follow this story.
Follow North Desk on WhatsApp, X and Facebook for updates.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Parole: 16th Release, 406 Days Outside Sunaria Prison
Follow North Desk on WhatsApp for the latest from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7ccdxJENy2H87DBG3E
