DC, SP visit Kotkhai victim’s family

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 21

After a fortnight of public outrage that followed the rape and murder of the 16-year-old school girl at Kotkhai, a team of officials led by Rohan Chand Thakur, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, and SP Somya Sadasivam visited the victim’s parents at Tali village of Deha tehsil today. The team gave a patient hearing to the victim’s family.

The team reached the village at 7 pm after they had a first public interaction with the members of the Joint Action Committee at Kotkhai initiating some confidence-building measure to restore peace at the violence-hit place.

The DC said they visited the victim's parents at their village and offered condolences. The district administration has offered to shoulder the entire expenses of victim's brother till the completion of his education. Also, the Deputy Commissioner extended a help of Rs 2 lakh from the District Red Cross and assured all assistance in future. The family thanked them for their visit.

Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a solidarity march in support of the victim’s family. Kotkhai has turned into a fortress with four reserve battalions deployed there. “The situation is under control now. Peace has returned here as no incidents of violent protests were reported,” said Pankaj Sharma, an ASP deputed as part of a team to oversee law and order in Kotkhai.

Dhumal: Protest not for political gains 

Hamirpur: This protest is against the incompetence of the state government and not for playing politics. This is for seeking justice for the Kotkhai victim. This was stated by former Chief Minister PK Dhumal while addressing a rally organised by the BJP to demand justice for the victim, at Gandhi Chowk here on Friday. He said the Opposition was to raise the issues pertaining to development and other social problems being faced by the people of the state, but it was unfortunate that people had to cry for justice following the "negligence" of the government and the police in this case. OC

Govt, cops shielding main accused: BJP  

Una: The BJP unit of Una on Friday staged a protest at the district headquarters, against the state government and the police for not doing a fair probe and protecting the main accused in the Kotkhai rape and murder case. Led by BJP MLA and state party president Satpal Singh Satti, protesters raised slogans as the protest march started from the PWD Rest House and ended at the Bus Stand Chowk where they burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister. OC