Women protest in Kotli, seek death penalty in murder case

Angered by the brutal killing of a woman who was allegedly set ablaze after petrol was poured on her, hundreds of women staged a massive protest in the Kotli subdivision of Mandi district on Monday, demanding justice and the death penalty for the accused.

According to reports, more than 1,500 women from around 14 villages participated in the agitation. The protesters took out a rally from the local bus stand to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Kotli, raising slogans and seeking strict action against those responsible for the crime.

Addressing the gathering, protesters Sohan Singh, Anupama Singh, Bhaskar Thakur, Rajesh Kapoor, Thakur Das and others described the incident as inhumane and a blot on the Tungal area. They said acts of extreme violence against women were unacceptable under any circumstances and called for exemplary punishment for the guilty.

The incident occurred on February 12 under the jurisdiction of the Sadar Mandi police station. The victim was initially taken to the Community Health Centre, Kotli, and later referred to the Zonal Hospital, Mandi. She was subsequently shifted to Nerchowk Medical College for advanced treatment and later to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Police have arrested the victim’s husband in connection with the case. However, the protesters alleged that others might also be involved and demanded a fair and impartial investigation to ensure that all those responsible are brought to book.

During the protest, a memorandum was submitted to the SDM, urging the authorities to ensure a transparent probe and award the harshest possible punishment, including the death penalty, to the guilty. The protesters said they would continue their agitation until justice is delivered.