Villagers hold dharna over youth’s suicide

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, June 21

Up in arms against the Jawali police in charge-cum-SHO, residents of Ludhiar village today staged a dharna in the Labh market and blocked traffic till late this evening. They raised slogans against SHO Surjit Singh and demanded registration of an FIR against him for abetting a youth to suicide and his job termination.

As per information, Ankush Kumar, a village youth, had reportedly committed suicide on Monday by hanging after he was beaten up by some boys and girls in the local market last week. One of the girls had alleged that the victim had outraged her modesty. She had also complained to the police in this connection. The victim’s family members alleged that the police had also thrashed Ankush and after feeling insulted he reportedly committed suicide.

Following a complaint by Ankush’s family members, the Jawali police had registered an FIR against seven girls and boys for abetting the victim to suicide. The victim had also prepared a video clip on his mobile before committing suicide in which he had held seven persons responsible for abetting him to commit suicide and claimed his innocence as alleged by a girl.

In this connection, Kangra SP Sanjiv Gandhi said after the registration of an FIR, seven persons had been arrested and SHO Surjit Singh suspended. His official duties had been withdrawn and he was deployed at the district headquarters without duty. He asserted that investigation was under way.