The murder of 16-year-old Anjana Kumari in Gaya has taken an intense form as 45000 thousand weavers went on indefinite strike alleging false implication of family members of the deceased.
Recently, elder sister of the murdered girl has alleged that she was forced by a lady constable and DSP to confess about the murder. She also alleged false implication of her parents in name of honour killing. She said that police had built pressure on her moreover her mother was given electric shocks at the local police station where they were detained for interrogation.
Whereas police have stood by its argument of calling it as a case of honour killing. SSP Rajiv Mishra said, “We suspected honour killing when the police were first not allowed to talk to family members of the girl. When the girl’s sister told us about her return on December 31, we got a thread to investigate on the lines of honour killing. Prima facie it seems to be a case of honour killing.”
Vastra Udyog Bunkar Sewa Samiti president Prem Narayan Patwa, said, “We do not trust the police investigation. They are cooking up a story to shield an influential person belonging to an upper caste. We have given the name to the police but the boy was let go after detention. We demand a probe by SIT or CBI.”
Bihar: Massive protest in Gaya after 16-year-old girl found beheaded
There are around 45000 weavers of ‘Patwa community’ in Gaya who weave and stitch clothes on large scale using local thread. The shutdown of thousands of power loom has badly affected the local economy with small business and many families who are directly and indirectly associated with it.
The caste issue is also an undeniable fact which has come up during this incident. The victim and their sympathizers hailing from backward caste are blaming the police for shielding an upper caste individual. Protesters are constantly demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.
“Police has framed innocent people in the murder case to hush the case. The couple was picked up and was subjected to inhuman torture, and was forced to admit killing their own daughter,” said Gopal Patwa, president, Gaya Weavers Association. He further asked if the police has evidence- Why are they hesitant in producing the murder weapon which was used in killing the girl?
Former Chief Minister for Bihar and RJD leader Rabri Devi has spoken on this incident and has demanded a high-level inquiry from the government.
Taking a dig at the law and order situation in the state, former Rajya Sabha member and senior RJD leader Shivanand Tiwary said, “The fear of law is gone. Heinous crime such as murders and rapes have become the order of the day. The Gaya incident is no exception.”
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is yet to speak on the incident which is day by day gaining momentum.
