There was high drama in Himachal Pradesh’s Dalhousie when a Special Police Officer (SPO) from Jammu and Kashmir on Monday climbed a pine tree and threatened to die by suicide over a cut in his salary. However, he was rescued after nearly five hours when an MLA from the Union Territory was called in.

The 48-year-old officer, Shyam Lal, climbed the tree near Banikhet at a height of 15 metres and refused to come down. He threatened the passer-by that if anyone tried to climb the tree, he would hang himself by a rope. The officer said he was facing financial difficulties and had a salary cut from Rs 18,000 to just Rs 4,000 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Locals called the village chief, who, in turn, informed the police, following which a team of police and fire brigade arrived. Nets were laid, a ladder was put on the tree and teams spread out to rescue the SPO who communicated from atop the tree.

The SPO, who had climbed the tree around 4.30pm, came down approximately five hours after the police called in the MLA from Bani in Kathua, Rameshwar Singh.

The distance from Bani to Banikhet is approximately 68 km by road and takes around two hours. Singh, however, managed to reach by 9.20 pm.

Hearing the plea of the SPO, Singh said the former used to earn a salary of Rs 18,000, which came down to just Rs 4,000.

“He told me that he worked through the most difficult period. His child is in Chandigarh and he had taken loans, but his salary was just Rs 4,000 after Covid. He then told me how do I survive with such a meagre amount,” the MLA said, adding that he decided to climb atop a tree and attempt to kill himself.

Singh, however, said that the action of Shyam Lal was not right. “The decision regarding salary revision lies with the Centre since Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory,” he added.

Many local officers moved by the SPO’s plight said they would speak to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about his situation.

While no case was registered, the SPO was allowed to leave with the MLA after a medical test. Though the police enquired if Shyam Lal had taken any intoxicants, local authorities ruled it out and allowed him to return to Jammu and Kashmir.

(with inputs from Vishal Anand)

Published By:

Prateek Chakraborty

Published On:

May 27, 2025