3 months on, case unsolved, security to family ‘withdrawn’
LUDHIANA : Even around three months after the murder of city pastor Sultan Masih, the police have not only failed to crack the case, but also withdrawn the security provided to his family.
Masih’s family on Sunday also said that despite big claims made by the Punjab government about giving monetary help to them, they have not got even a penny in the name of compensation.
Addressing a press conference here, Alisha, son of the deceased, said the police are not taking the case seriously. Instead of tracing the killers, the police are harassing the family members in the name of questioning. He added that after the killing of his father, the police had deputed a round-the-clock PCR motorcycle squad outside their home, but the security was withdrawn recently, without any intimation to the family.
“The state government has announced Rs 5 lakh in cash and job to one member of the family after killing of my father. Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Bittu had also announced Rs 10 lakh for building a memorial of my father. Almost three months have assed and we haven’t get a single penny from the government in the name of help,” said Alisha. “We are afraid as the police have failed to arrest the killers of my father. If the police do not trace the case soon, we will be forced to state a protest,” he added.
Pastor Sultan Masih was gunned down by three motorcycle-borne miscreants on July 15,
PASTOR’S SON SAYS ROUNDTHECLOCK PCR MOTORCYCLE SQUAD POSTED OUTSIDE THEIR HOME WAS WITHDRAWN RECENTLY
while he was talking to someone over mobile phone outside the church, ‘Temple of God’ here.
A case of murder was registered against unidentified assailants. The police had formed a ‘special investigation team’ (SIT), which has failed to deliver so far.
POLICE VERSION
Commissioner of police RN Dhoke refuted the allegations of withdrawing the security.
Dhoke said the PCR motorcycle squad had a halt point outside the house of the slain pastor. The team takes a halt outside the home after patrolling in the adjoining streets. He also said that the police have been investigating the matter “very seriously”. Police had nabbed seven Babbar Khalsa International members in connection with the murder, but failed to crack the case.