Jammu, Feb-16: A Hindu right-wing group Friday took out a protest demonstration in Jammu in support of the two accused arrested in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old girl in Kathua with the Jammu and Kashmir police providing them escort, reports said.
Police said the victim was abducted, brutally raped and later murdered in Kathua region last month, sparking protests in Jammu and Kashmir following which the J&K Police had arrested a special police officer, Deepak Khajuria, in connection with the crime.
Khujaria, a 28-year-old SPO posted at Police Station Heera Nagar, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch for the incident along with a minor boy. Police sources said Khajuria and the minor boy had raped and murdered the child after holding her captive for a week.
On Friday, “Hindu Ekta Munch”, a Hindu right wing group, took out a protest march in support of the accused.
Witnesses said the protesters comprising of men, women and children were chanting pro-accused and anti-government slogans while waving the tri-color as they marched ahead while police personnel were seen escorting them, evoking sharp reaction from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
“Appalled by the marches & protests in defense of the recently apprehended rapist in Kathua. Also horrified by their use of our national flag in these demonstrations, this is nothing short of desecration. The accused has been arrested & the law will follow its course,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.