JPPF demands CBI probe into Kathua rape-and-murder case

The JPPF today demanded a CBI probe into the rape-and-murder case of a minor girl in Kathua district and asked the state government to refrain from politicising the issue.

Jammu Province Peoples Forum (JPPF) is an amalgam of more than 50 social, commercial and other organisations of Jammu.

"We want a CBI probe into the killing of a minor girl of Hiranagar. We ask the government to immediately hand over the case to the CBI for the fair and transparent enquiry to bring justice," the president of the forum, Paviter Singh told reporters here today.

The body of the eight-year-old girl was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she had gone missing while grazing horses.

On January 23, the government handed over the case to the state police's crime branch which arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) in February for his alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of the girl.

Earlier, a special investigation team (SIT) had arrested a 15-year-old boy and claimed the accused had strangulated the victim after she resisted his rape attempt.

Singh said the culprit should be "dealt with harshly" and expressed disappointment at the politicisation of the issue.

"This kind of act is intolerable and we all extend our support to the government. On the other hand, we are also astonished to see how this is being politicised by different entities for benefits best known to them," he said.

He said the agencies' failure to nab the culprit even a month after the incident has created an environment of fear among the residents of Hiranagar.

"Just imagine the innocent people of that village who left their houses in search of the more secure place," he said.