SFI demands stern action in girl activist’s murder case in Mandi

The Himachal Pradesh State Committee of the Students Federation of India (SFI) on Thursday staged a protest against the brutal murder of its activist, Siya Guleria, in the Gopalpur area of Mandi and demanded stern action against the culprit. Anil Thakur, state president of the SFI, while addressing protesters, said that Siya, a 19-year-old student, was brutally murdered while she was on her way to college. He added that she was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon by a man in an inebriated condition.

“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 growing drug problem in the state,” he added.

Thakur said, “The state government is offering a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Siya’s family, which should be given immediately. The government should also take the full responsibility of 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 that the growing drug menace in the state was not only a law and order problem but also a deeper socio-economic and political issue. “Unemployment, growing youth disillusionment and a lax approach to the drug menace have all compounded this issue. The drug mafia is openly destroying the future of the youth,” he added.

Sunny Seakta, state secretary of the SFI, said that the state government should take strict action against the drug mafia.