10-day-long Dharna ends in Chatroo after assurance of justice, Ravinder Raina, Ch Zulfkar Ali visit protest site

• Leaders express solidarity with family of 14-year-old Tribal Girl, demand time-bound probe and strictest punishment for culprits

JAMMU: Senior BJP leaders Ravinder Raina and Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today visited Chatroo and met the agitated people who had been protesting for the last ten days against the gruesome rape and murder of a 14-year-old tribal girl.

The leaders expressed deep anguish over the horrific incident and conveyed their strongest solidarity with the bereaved family. They said that the brutal crime against a minor girl has shocked the conscience of society and cannot be allowed to be diluted or delayed at the cost of justice.

Ravinder Raina and Ch Zulfkar Ali assured the family and the protesting people that they would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and ensure that the demand for justice is pursued at the highest appropriate level.

They demanded a swift, transparent and time-bound investigation, with every aspect of the case thoroughly examined, and called for the strictest punishment under law for those found responsible.

Following the assurance given by the leaders, the protesting people decided to call off the 10-day-long dharna. The leaders appreciated the courage and determination of the people of Chatroo and assured them that the conclusion of the dharna would not mean an end to the pursuit of justice.

Those present on the occasion included Fatima Farooq, former BDC; Ch Talib Hussain; Roshan Lal; Mohd Shafi; Fareed Ahmed; Master Mohd Awan; Manohar Lal, besides several other prominent citizens, community representatives and local residents.

Ravinder Raina and Ch Zulfkar Ali reiterated that there must be zero tolerance towards crimes against women and children, and that every person found guilty must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with law.