SFI demands stern action against murder of 19-year-old girl in Mandi district

The Himachal Pradesh State Committee of Students Federation of India (SFI), on Thursday, staged a protest against the brutal murder of its activist, Siya Guleria in Gopalpur area in Mandi and demanded stern action against the culprits.

Addressing the protest, Anil Thakur, state president, SFI said Siya, a 19-year-old student was brutally murdered while she was on her way to college. He said she was attacked by a man who was allegedly intoxicated, with a sharp weapon.

“This incident is extremely painful and clearly demonstrates the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. It has also emerged that the killer was under the influence of alcohol and heroin, highlighting the seriousness of the state's growing drug problem” he said.

“The state government is offering a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Siya's family, and this should be given immediately. The government should also take full responsibility for Siya's younger sister's education, curb the growing drug menace in the state, and take stringent measures to ensure women's safety” he said.

He said the growing drug menace in the state is not just a law and order issue, but a deeper socio-economic and political problem. “Unemployment, growing youth disillusionment, and a lax approach to the drug trade have all compounded this issue. The drug mafia is openly destroying the future of the youth” he said.

Sunny Seakta, state secretary, SFI said the state government needs to take strict action against the drug mafia. “The government should also provide more employment and educational opportunities for youth, besides organising a large-scale public awareness campaign against drug abuse” he said.