The hunger strike by women of Rassana in Jammu for transfer of Kathua rape and murder case to Central Bureau of Investigation completed nine days on Sunday.
The women on fast include the wife of Sanji Ram, the alleged mastermind of the brutal rape and murder of Asifa, an 8-year old tribal girl.
Meanwhile, a five-member delegation of Hiranagar people called on Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office and Member Parliament from Doda-Udhampur-Kathua constituency, Dr Jitendra Singh, at his residence in Jammu.
The delegation comprising of Prem Nath Dogra, Kant Kumar, Vijay Tagotra, Yogesh Singh and Rakes Kumar met the MoS and apprised him about the ground situation of Rassana and its adjoining villages since the Crime Branch took over the investigation of rape and murder case.
“We made it clear to the MoS that people are not defending anyone. If 100 people are involved in this heinous crime all should be hanged publicly but no one is satisfied with investigation of Crime Branch and case should be transferred to CBI to bring out the truth,” Kant Kumar informed Greater Kashmir.
“The meeting lasted for 30 minutes and we discussed every possible thing with him,” he said.
The union minister listened to us very carefully and admitted that being in Delhi he was not aware of many issues.
“Dr Jitendra Singh told us that as an MP and union minister he does not intervene in this case directly but assured us that he will take up matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and request him to conduct probe as per the wishes of the people,” Kumar informed.
“Dr Singh also said that he will talk to deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh to take up the issue again in the state government,” he said.
Meanwhile, to avoid protests, the deputy chief minister – who was yesterday forced to divert his route on Jammu-Kathua highway – today canceled a farmers’ function in Sallan, near Dalayachak.
Sources informed that a state level Kissan Mela was scheduled to be held on Sunday where deputy chief minister was the chief guest with agriculture minister and all five BJP MLAs of Kathua district among the invitees. But due to the protest in Hiranagar and Kathua the function was postponed.