Honour killing row: Residents threaten poll boycott

A sensational murder that was concluded by the police as a case of honour killing, could create discomforting moments for the ruling NDA combine here as BJP’s traditional voters Patwas (weavers) in the city have decided to boycott voting in protest against the arrest of the deceased’s father in the case.

Over 5,000 citizens under the banner of Vasta Udyog Bunkar Seva Samiti on Sunday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanding a CBI probe into the matter, release of the "innocent persons" arrested in the case and immediate transfer of the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police Abhijit Kumar Singh.

Citizens of Patwa Toli are miffed with the police for the way they handled the Anjana murder case. Earlier they had taken out a massive candle march after the murder. Now they have threatened to boycott the polls. They have also marked copies of the letter to Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi and Director General of Police of Bihar.

Patwa Toli is a BJP-RSS stronghold and has elected the Gaya city MLA Prem Kumar for seven times in a row. Kumar is Agriculture Minister in Nitish Kumar government. Patwas guard their tradition zealously and do not approve of marriage outside their community.

The beheaded body of 16-year-old Anjana Kumari, who had gone missing on December 28 was found in a battered and bruised condition on January 6. This sparked protests from the community. The police found out that the girl had in fact returned home on 31st, and concluded that it was a case of honour killing.

Earlier Madhepura MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav also demanded a CBI probe in the case. Gaya Parliamentary seat goes to polls on April 11. If Patwas stick to their vote boycott, it could pose fresh difficulties before the NDA candidate Vijay Kumar Manjhi of JD(U), who is fighting against former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustan Awam Morcha.