Himachal: Protest over murder of youth, highway blocked
Himachal Pradesh: Residents of Salyana panchayat in Panchrukhi tehsil staged a massive protest at Salyana Chowk, blocking the Palampur-Jaisinghpur highway, demanding justice for the murder of Pankaj Kumar. Pankaj was missing for 26 days and his mutilated body was found in a ravine near Jawalamukhi, 50 km away, the previous day. His family had lodged a missing person complaint at the Panchrukhi police station but alleged that the authorities ignored their pleas for action. The protesters accused the police of succumbing to political pressure and taking no action despite naming the suspects in their complaint.
According to the victim’s family, Pankaj was taken to a place and murdered on January 18 as part of a pre-planned conspiracy. The next day his motorcycle was found abandoned 200 metres away from the village. The family believes that a local family perpetrated the crime as Pankaj was in a love affair with a girl from that house. When Pankaj’s body was brought to the village after post-mortem at Tanda Medical College, hundreds of people gathered and took the body to Saliyana Chowk, where they blocked the highway in protest. They raised slogans against the government and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.
In response, Palampur SDM Netra Meti and DSP Anil Sharma reached the protest site to pacify the angry mob. Following their intervention, a case was registered at Panchrukhi police station under Section 302 of the IPC. Following this, the police arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the crime. Also, a police constable was sent to the police line on suspicion of shielding the criminals. Officials said that departmental action would be taken against him if his involvement is confirmed. Following the assurances of the SDM and DSP, the villagers removed the blockade and restored traffic on the highway. Pankaj’s body was cremated under tight police security. The family is adamant that Pankaj’s murder is the result of a deep conspiracy. They are demanding a thorough investigation, alleging police negligence and political interference in the case.
