FAMILY REFUSES TO CREMATE YOUTH, STAGES PROTEST OUTSIDE SSP OFFICE

Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur

Tension prevailed outside the SSP office as family members of 17-year-old Anmol, who was abducted and murdered last Tuesday, staged a protest and refused to perform his last rites until the accused were arrested. The family alleged that Anmol was killed for confronting some youths who had allegedly been harassing and following his sister. The protesters demanded strict action against the accused and sought the death penalty for those involved in the murder.

Jaswinder Kaur, a family member of the victim, said some youths had been harassing and following Anmol’s sister for a long time. “Initially, the girl did not share the matter with her family. However, she later informed her brother Anmol after the youths attempted to misbehave with her,” said Jaswinder.

Following her complaint, Anmol had approached the youths the next day and asked them to stop following and harassing his sister, saying their actions were bringing disrepute to the family. The family alleged that the youths held a grudge against him over this confrontation and abducted him while he was returning from work, murdered him and later dumped his body by the roadside last Tuesday.

Deep Dashanan, a Valmiki community leader, said a meeting was held with the police administration, following which the protest was called off. However, he clarified that the family would not perform Anmol’s last rites until the accused were arrested.