Karnal SP suspends another cop; kin stage silent protest

Tribune News Service

Karnal, December 20

With Karnal police still to arrest 25-year-old Neeraj Kumar’s murderers, his kin continued to protest and staged a silent dharna refusing to perform his last rites till the arrests were made.

Hundreds of protesters took out a silent march from the Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College Hospital, passing through various parts of the city.

During the day, SP Abhishek Garg suspended security-in charge ASI Rajbir for not doing his duty properly. Earlier, three police personnel were suspended for negligence.

The police have confiscated an SUV and detained its driver for alleged involvement in the case. An 11-members committee of the Ror community once again refused to perform the last rites of Neeraj today, till the accused were arrested. Even though, tehsildar Hari Om Attri and DSP (city) Raj Kumar tried to persuade the family, they remained adamant on their demand.

Meanwhile, Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan also met CM Manohar Lal Khattar at the Aviation Club, while the CM was going to Bathinda, and brought the matter to his notice. The CM directed the IGP and SP to apprehend the accused at the earliest as it was a heinous crime and said action must be taken against those involved in the crime.

The case

Neeraj (25) was shot dead outside his house at Vikas Colony by three persons on Thursday. The police registered a case against Neeraj Punia, who is a history-sheeter, Sandeep Punia, Brijpal, Bittu, Deepak Punia and Neeraj Punia’s mother, all residents of Phusgarh in the city, under sections 302, 307, 148, 149, 120B of the IPC. The police have announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for any information about the main accused Neeraj Punia.