Srinagar, July 19: Justice continues to elude the family of Tabindah Gani, who was brutally raped and murdered four years ago on this day in Langate area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
 The family of the deceased told Greater Kashmir that the accused are yet to be punished despite ordering of fast track trial by the High Court “The trial is going at snail’s pace. Till date, statements of only 85 witnesses have been recorded” said, Muhammed Iqbal Shah, uncle of Tabindah.
 He said the repeated promises of the Government including then Chief Minister about exemplary punishment to the four persons, who were charge-sheeted by the police, have proven hoax.
 “Then CM Ghulam Nabi Azad during a public rally at Handwara on July 28, 2007 announced that he will talk with higher ranks of judiciary about establishing of fast track trial so that killers are punished. Not only this, he had also made same commitment in the State Assembly too,” he said.
 Pertinently, Tabindah Gani was murdered on July 20, 2007 in Batpora Langate. Her murder triggered protests in the Valley with separatists asking the non-locals to flee. But they later backtracked from the call fearing backlash against the Kashmiris putting up in other States.
 “We have lost hope of getting justice in the near future if the trial continues at the same pace,” said Iqbal.
 The family accused the State Government of “rubbing salt” on their wounds by not conferring award instituted in Tabindah’s memory.
 “Their announcement about conferring reward on the brave children in Tabindah’s memory has proven hoax. Three years have passed, but till date no such award has been given to any child,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST