Despite protection, kin of Sonepat youth fear for life

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Sonepat, June 28

The streets of Gopalpur, which was shook by the death of a village youth in a case of honour killing, continue to wear a deserted look. No one talks about the incident even as a PCR van keeps patrolling the area.

The family members of deceased Vinay Dahiya, who was shot dead in Delhi allegedly by family members of his wife, are living in constant fear despite 24-hour police security.

Om Prakash, victim’s father, said a panchayat was held after his son married Kiran of the same village and gotra. The panchayat had banned the couple’s entry into the village. “Even we had to break our relationship with them,” he said.

Honour killing

• Vinay of Gopalpur was shot allegedly by family members of his wife on June 24
• Victim’s father says they fear for their life as none of the accused has been arrested

None of the accused has been arrested even five days after the incident. “The police have deputed a gunman with us, but till the accused are not arrested, we cannot feel secure,” Om Prakash said, adding that it was ironical that he had to cross the accused’s house every day on his way to work.

ASI Jagdish Kumar said they were regularly patrolling the area even as there was no tension in the village.