Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to those killed in the 1994 Mussoorie firing, saying their sacrifice remains central to the state's history and the movement for a separate Uttarakhand.

 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1994 Mussoorie firing on Wednesday, describing the occasion as a deeply emotional day for the people of the state.

The Chief Minister remembered the statehood movement activists who lost their lives during the firing on September 2, 1994, and also paid tribute to DSP Umakant Tripathi, who was killed during the violence. Six statehood movement activists were killed in the incident. 

Dhami said Uttarakhand was created after a long struggle and the sacrifices of people who worked for a separate state. He said the contribution of the movement's activists and women could not be forgotten.

Six activists remembered

The six activists remembered at the Mussoorie memorial include Balbir Singh Negi, Belmati Chauhan, Hansa Dhanai, Dhanpat Singh, Rai Singh Bangari and Madan Mohan Mamgai. 

The Mussoorie firing took place during the wider Uttarakhand statehood movement. The incident followed protests after the firing in Khatima on September 1, 1994, and became one of the defining and painful episodes of the movement. (Amar Ujala)

The annual remembrance has continued to hold significance in Uttarakhand, with state leaders and families of the martyrs paying homage at the memorial.

Dhami highlights government measures

During the tribute programme, Dhami said his government was working in line with the aspirations of the statehood movement.

He pointed to measures taken for identified statehood activists, including an increase in their pensions. He also said the government was working to build an Uttarakhand aligned with the aspirations of those who sacrificed for the creation of the state. 

Dhami also highlighted development initiatives, including work on road and rail connectivity and efforts to create new employment opportunities for young people.

He said the government had also acted on the long-standing demand related to land laws, presenting these measures as part of its efforts to fulfil the aspirations associated with the statehood movement. 

A painful chapter in Uttarakhand's history

The Mussoorie firing remains one of the key events associated with the movement that eventually led to the creation of Uttarakhand.

The state government has described the Khatima firing of September 1, the Mussoorie firing of September 2 and the Rampur Tiraha incident of October 2 as painful chapters in the state's history.

For families of the victims and statehood movement supporters, the annual tribute is both a remembrance of those who died and a reminder of the demands and aspirations that shaped Uttarakhand's formation.

Dhami said the sacrifices made during the movement would continue to guide efforts to build the state envisioned by those who fought for its creation.

Former India captain visits Lal Tibba to enrol Ziva for summer camp; brief interaction with fans draws crowd

Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived in Mussoorie late Saturday evening, driving a Land Rover Defender reportedly worth around ₹3 crore, and was briefly mobbed by well-wishers while enrolling his daughter Ziva in a boarding school summer camp, officials and local witnesses said.

Arrival at Lal Tibba
According to hotel staff and locals, Dhoni reached a hotel in the Lal Tibba area after travelling from Dehradun in the afternoon. Security was low-key and the visit appeared private, but word spread quickly and a small crowd gathered outside the property within an hour.

Fans converge quickly
Witnesses said several people recognised Dhoni and asked for photographs and handshakes. “He got out of the car himself and helped with Ziva’s luggage,” a local who declined to be named told reporters. When some onlookers mistakenly chanted another player’s name, Dhoni laughed and acknowledged the crowd, according to the witness. A child who called out “Dhoni‑Dhoni” received a warm smile in response.

Purpose of visit
Sources familiar with the matter said Dhoni’s primary reason for visiting Mussoorie was to enrol Ziva in a boarding school’s seasonal programme and to accompany her for the first day. School officials confirmed a late‑evening admission on Saturday but declined to share details, citing privacy norms.

Scene on the ground
The car, identified by locals as a Land Rover Defender, drew attention—both for its appearance and the celebrity occupant. Several people used their phones to take pictures from a distance. Hotel employees said Dhoni spent little time in public spaces and moved quickly to the admissions office before returning to the hotel.

Local reaction and security
Local police confirmed there was no formal bandobast arranged for Dhoni’s visit and described the gathering as spontaneous. “A few people congregated, but the situation remained peaceful. We ensured passage for the vehicle and maintained a discreet presence,” a police officer at the Mussoorie station said on condition of anonymity.

Background: Dhoni’s recent travel
Dhoni visited Mussoorie previously on March 11, 2025, and has kept a low public profile since retiring from international cricket. The former India captain has been seen occasionally at family events and private outings, prompting local interest whenever he appears in hill towns and tourist hubs.

Public interest and tourism effect
Tourists and residents said celebrity sightings like Saturday’s offer a short-term boost to local footfall, with cafes and souvenir shops seeing a small spike in visitors in the immediate hours after news spread. “People lingered longer on the Mall Road, hoping to catch a glimpse,” a shopkeeper in the Lal Tibba area said.

Privacy and family focus
Those close to Dhoni have repeatedly emphasised his preference for private family time. Saturday’s visit appeared to follow that pattern: quick, purposeful, and primarily focused on his daughter’s enrolment. There was no sign of an extended public appearance or media briefing.

What’s next
Officials at the school said the summer programme will run for several weeks; sources indicated Ziva is expected to stay for the residential camp. Mussoorie authorities said they had not received advance notice of any further public engagements by Dhoni in the coming days.