- Hindu Ekta Manch leaders to meet CM, threaten agitation
With the arrest of one more Special Police Officer (SPO) in kidnapping and subsequent rape and murder of Asifa Bano, Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM) Friday threatened to force a shutdown over the issue.
Members of the saffron party have planned to meet Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to seek a CBI probe into the rape and murder case of Gujjar girl at Hiranagar in Kathua district.
“Yes, we have arrested another SPO Surinder Verma. He had proper information about Asifa’s case,” Additional Director General of Police Crime Branch, Alok Puri, told Kashmir Post.
In response to the allegation of biased investigation by the police, Puri said that “We will not be deterred. Our investigation is on.”
Leaders of Hindu Ekta Manch held a closed door meeting with the members of saffron groups in Hiranagar at Parshu Ram temple where they decided to force a shutdown.
According to Hindu Ekta Manch leader, Vijay Kumar Sharma, and BJP’s state committee member, Prof Hari Om, Panun Kashmir leader Ajay Charangu, ex-MLC Subash Gupta, MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Verma and other prominent leaders attended the meeting.
“We want a CBI probe because we don’t trust the Crime Branch as they have a biased approach,” Vijay Kumar Sharma said.
Sharma said that they were upset with the “brutal murder and rape case and want the accused persons should be behind the bars” but the Crime Branch is investigating the case “in a biased manner.”
“We have decided to meet Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday (Feb 19) and in case, the investigation of Asifa’s case is not handed over to the CBI, we will go for agitation. On Thursday Feb 22 there will be complete shutdown and no vehicle will be allowed to ply on Jammu-Pathankot highway in Hiranagar,” said Sharma.
“The Crime Branch earlier had arrested SPO Deepak Khajuria. And now, they have arrested another SPO Surinder Verma after his interrogation in custody. The CB team has also questioned a chemist. The investigation is lopsided don’t trust it,” he said.
“I am not giving clean chit to anyone. Just give the case to CBI. If it is not done, we will come on the roads and launch agitation,” said Sharma.
The police in Hiranagar had arrested a juvenile and held him responsible for the kidnapping, and murder of Asifa while declining to accept that the victim minor girl was raped. Hiranagar police initially claimed that it was attempt to rape by the 15-year-old juvenile, whose identity was not disclosed. Government handed over investigation to Crime Branch following which a Special Investigation Team was constituted.
