Markets in Kosli shut over Rewari gangrape

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Kosli (Rewari), September 19

The bandh call given by the Jan Sangarsh Samiti against the gangrape evoked an overwhelming response on Wednesday as traders and shopkeepers kept their establishments shut from 9 am to 12 noon to express solidarity with the victim.

Representatives of the samiti and Yuva Shakti Jhaal took out a protest march in the town and submitted a memorandum to SDM Uttam Singh seeking immediate arrest of the other two suspects, government job to the victim and monetary aid to the victim’s family.

The protesters decided to convene a mahapanchayat of 51 villages in Kosli on Friday to decide further course of action. They called upon people and social outfits of surrounding districts to support them in getting justice for the victim.

“Our struggle will continue till the victim gets justice and demands are met. This unfortunate incident has caused an irreparable loss to the victim and her family. The government should come forward to offer her a respectable job to bring her out of trauma,” said Hansraj, convener of the samiti.

He said local residents were ready to launch a decisive struggle for help to the victim and maximum punishment to the accused.

“The state government has been given a two-day ultimatum to accept our demands. We will not hesitate in taking any stringent step in the mahapanchayat scheduled on Friday as residents want justice at the earliest,” said Hansraj.

Krishan, a youth who participated in the protest, said they wanted capital punishment for the culprits. Rajesh, another protester, decried the police for alleged sluggish action and demanded action against the cops responsible.

The Bar Association of Kanina in Mahendragarh on Wednesday announced that no member would defend the accused in court. A similar decision had earlier been taken by the Bar associations if Kosli and Rewari.