After protest in House, govt suspends Hiranagar SHO

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 20

A day after a boy (15) was arrested for allegedly killing a minor girl in the Rasana area of Kathua district, the state government today succumbed to relentless protests by opposition parties and ordered the suspension of the Hiranagar Station House Officer (SHO) “to ensure fair investigation” in the case.

The government also said that nobody would be spared for the “heinous” crime. It said the Kathua Deputy Commissioner would also hold an inquiry in the incident.

An eight-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped on January 8 from near her home in Rasana village and her body was recovered in a forest area on January 17.

On the third consecutive day today, members of the opposition parties created pandemonium in the Legislative Assembly and staged protests inside the well of the House, demanding suspension of the police officers concerned for their “casual approach” and fair investigation in the incident.

It all began when BJP legislator from Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia said the incident was “highly condemnable” but such issues should not be linked to any region or religion. His remarks triggered an uproar in the House. Opposition members attacked the BJP legislators for their silence over the issue. “This is a human issue and we have never tried to give such issues a communal colour. Our people have always worked for brotherhood and contributed to restoring peace in the state,” said National Conference legislator Mian Altaf.

Altaf asked why had the police not acted for seven days after the girl was kidnapped and a complaint was registered by her family.

National Conference legislator Ali Mohammad Sagar slammed the government for being “insensitive” towards the issue. He said: “Take action against the police officers concerned to give a strong message that such lapses will not be tolerated.”

Congress legislators GM Saroori and Vikar Rasool said they would not allow the House to function till the government takes action against the police officers concerned for their “lapses” and casual approach. “Send a strong message to the Police Department that such lapses in duty will not be tolerated. If you want a fair probe in the incident, put these officers under suspension,” Congress legislator Usman Majeed said while pressing for the suspension of the SHO and the Deputy Superintendent of Police. Peoples Democratic Front legislator Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen also pressed for the suspension of the police officers concerned, saying that “It will clear the element of doubt from the minds of people”.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister AR Veeri said the police had cracked the case within 24 hours. He said nobody would be spared for the heinous crime. “A magisterial inquiry will be conducted and the guilty will be punished even if they are from the police or civil administration,” Veeri told the House.

After half an hour of commotion, the government announced the suspension of the SHO, pending inquiry, leading to restoration of normal business in the House.