The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to confer Himachal Gaurav Purskar on the Assistant Town Planner, Kasauli, Shail Bala, who laid down her life while performing her duty in obeying the orders of the Supreme Court on demolition of unauthorised construction by hoteliers at Kasauli in Solan district.

A spokesman of the state government said the decision to confer Himachal Gaurav Purskar on Shail Bala was taken in a high-level meeting held here on Thursday to review the situation. He said that apart from Rs. 5 lakh financial assistance already announced by the State Government, it was also decided that the family members of the deceased officer would be provided full salary for her remaining service period.

READ | Kasauli Assistant Town Planner murder: Accused hotelier held from Mathura

The Spokesman said that the State Government was committed implemented orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court and would provide full protection to the officials engaged in the implementation of the orders.

Meanwhile, the accused hotelier Vijay Singh, who allegedly shot dead Shail Bala Sharma on May 1, was on Thursday arrested by a police team from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

“Our police teams had been on his trail for the last two days. We arrested Singh from Mathura today evening and he is being brought to Solan,” Solan Superintendent of Police Mohit Chawla told The Statesman.

ALSO READ : Death of officer in Kasauli due to non-implementation of law: Supreme Court

Police sources said the weapon used by him in the crime was, however, not recovered from him.

The Solan police had formed several teams, which were conducting raids in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Uttarakhand and UP in search of the culprit.

Singh had reportedly disappeared into the nearby forest after allegedly shooting Shail Bala.

ALSO READ: Kasauli Town Planner murder: SC slams Himachal govt for inadequate security

Two bullets had hit Shail Bala, one in the jaw and another in the chest, killing her on the spot. Another official, Gulab Singh, who is employed with the Public Works Department, was injured in the incident.

A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh was also announced by the Himachal Pradesh Police for any information leading to his arrest and the state government had ordered an inquiry into the incident to be conducted by Divisional Commissioner, Shimla.

The demolition drive against illegal constructions by 13 hotels and resorts continued on the third day on Thursday amid tight security as per the orders of Supreme Court, Chawla said.