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Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 17
Even as political groups are brazenly trying to reap political benefits of the horrific rape and murder of a minor Bakerwal girl at Rasana village of Kathua district, the victim’s family is confident of getting justice despite politicisation of the ghastly incident that shocked the country.
“We are hopeful of getting justice as the trial of the case is going on in the Pathankote court,” the father of victim told The Tribune, maintaining a year had passed since the gruesome incident. He said they were rigorously following the trial, which was going on a day-to-day basis.
On January 17 last year, the body of the minor was found in the forests of Rasana. According to the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch in the case, the girl was killed on January 14. “Ultimately, the truth will prevail and my daughter will get justice,” said the victim’s father.
While the biological parents of the girl live in Samba, the family which had adopted her is living in Rasana.
“We are living peacefully here in Rasana without any fear,” said her father.
When asked whether they received any threats from locals, he said there was no enmity with the local community. “We have cordial relations with the locals here,” said the father. He also said he had actively participated in the recently held panchayat elections and exercised his right to franchise.
Strongly denying any threat to the victim’s family, Ranjana Sharma, newly elected sarpanch of Rasana, said some “outsiders” were desperately trying to create a division between the Dogras and Bakerwals, who had been living with amity and brotherhood for decades. “Being a woman, I am well aware of the pain and trauma being faced by the family. The victim was our daughter and we will not allow outsiders to pursue divisive politics over this ghastly incident,” she said.
Poll cemented relations
The differences created between the Dogras and Bakerwals — two ethnic minorities of J&K — after the Kathua incident were cemented during the recently held panchayat elections as both the communities supported each other. The victim belonged to the Bakerwal community and all accused are Dogras. During the elections, Bakerwal supported Dogra candidates.
Mehbooba rakes up case to corner BJP
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday raked up the Kathua incident to corner the BJP. "Today marks a year since the horrific rape and murder of an eight-year-old Kathua girl. Sadly, instead of condemning the gruesome incident, BJP lawmakers staged protests in favour of the rapists. Even a crime like rape was communalised and passions were stoked to justify it," Mehbooba tweeted.
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