No breakthrough in Bhiwani teacher’s murder; SP shifted, 5 cops suspended

The brutal murder of 19-year-old teacher Manisha in Bhiwani district continues to remain a mystery, with police failing to identify the killers or establish the motive even three days after the recovery of her body.

The victim’s family has refused to cremate her body, insisting that the culprits be arrested first. Since August 13, villagers of Dhigawa and adjoining areas have been staging a dharna, accusing the police of negligence. Markets in Loharu subdivision remained shut today in protest.

Manisha, a resident of Dhani Laxman village, went missing on August 11. On August 13, her throat-slit body with acid burns on the face was found near a canal in Singhani village under Loharu subdivision.

Taking cognisance, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini ordered a police shake-up late last night. Bhiwani SP Manbir Singh was transferred and 2014-batch IPS officer Sumit Kumar was appointed in his place.

Further, five policemen — SHO Ashok Kumar (Loharu police station), woman ASI Shakuntala, ASI Anoop of Dial-112’s ERV team, Constable Pawan, and SPO Dharmender — have been suspended.

Despite the action, villagers at the dharna site in Dhigawa expressed dissatisfaction, demanding stricter punishment for negligent officers and the immediate arrest of the culprits.

Protesters from Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts joined the demonstration today, reiterating their demand for justice.

Former minister JP Dalal, who reached the protest site, assured the agitating villagers that justice would be delivered. “The CM has taken the matter seriously and strict action will follow if police personnel are found guilty,” he told the gathering.