Police announce reward for info on main accused

15yrold Muslim was stabbed to death on a train to Mathura on June 22

CHANDIGARH/FARIDABAD: The police has announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the identification of the main accused who killed 15-year-old Muslim boy Junaid Khan and injured his associates.

The victim was on board an EMU train from Ghaziabad to Mathura on June 22 when he was stabbed to death. Junaid, a resident of Khandwali village near Ballabgarh, and four others were attacked by a group of people who called them “beef eaters” and “anti-national”.

A police spokesperson said the identity of the informer would be kept secret. “Those having any information related to the accused can call superintendent of police, Railways, Haryana at 07814330006, 08814888701 or 01712641982, or deputy superintendent of police, Railways, Faridabad, at 07291972101.”

“We are scanning footage secured from CCTVs installed near Asoati railway station”, superintendent of police, GRP Kamaldeep said.

The police have so far arrested five people in this connection.

MAHAPANCHAYAT SEEKS RELEASE OF ‘INNOCENT’ YOUTHS

Meanwhile, a mahapanchayat organised at Khambi village in Palwal district threatened to launch an agitation in case the youths arrested by the police were not released at the earliest.

“We held a mahapanchayat of people belonging to different castes on Sunday in which a committee of 60 prominent persons was constituted to decide the next course of action”, said Nityanand Sharma, who was unanimously chosen to head the committee.

“We condemned police atrocities on the innocent youth in strongest possible words. The mahapanchayat also condemned in strongest possible words the killing of Junaid and demanded that the investigating agencies arrest the real culprit and release innocent youths immediately”, Sharma said.

The committee on Monday submitted a memorandum, addressed to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, to the Palwal deputy commissioner.

The memorandum alleged that Junaid’s killing was given a communal colour, following which the police acted under pressure and tortured innocent youths of Khambi village.

“We demand immediate arrest of the real accused and release of all the innocent youths arrested in this connection”, said Jagdish Nayyar, an ex-MLA,who is also member of the committee.

POLICE SPOKESPERSON SAID THE IDENTITY OF THE INFORMER WOULD BE KEPT SECRET