Kathua rape-murder: BJP Minister VK Singh assures justice
What's the story
Union Minister VK Singh has become the first central minister to address the brutal Kathua gangrape-murder of an 8-year-old girl. "We have failed her as humans. But she will not be denied justice," the junior foreign minister tweeted. She was abducted, sedated and repeatedly gangraped for days by a group which wanted to drive out the nomadic Bakarwal community from Kathua, before being murdered.
Twitter Post
The tweet by Junior Foreign Minister VK Singh
We have failed Ashifa as humans. But she will not be denied justice.#PunishTheSavages #RapeAndMurderOfHumanity #Kathua #JusticeForAshifa #GenerallySaying pic.twitter.com/yQPUU0JDW4
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) April 12, 2018
Crime
The crime that shook the nation
The girl was kidnapped on January 10 upon the orders of Sanji Ram, a retired revenue department official. One of the rapists came from Meerut to "satisfy his lust," while another, a cop, asked them to wait so he too could rape her before she was killed. According to the chargesheet, four cops were involved in cover-up of the crime that has shaken India.
Information
Controversy: Two BJP ministers joined protests supporting the accused
The incident has triggered communal tension in the region, with many groups claiming the police, mostly Kashmiris, were framing innocent Hindus. There was controversy when two BJP ministers of the state, Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, were seen at one such protest.
Meeting
Rajnath Singh assures Mufti BJP wasn't part of protests
CM Mehbooba Mufti met Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday and accused the BJP state leadership, PDP's ally, of creating trouble. According to reports, Singh assured her that BJP isn't part of the outfits that are protesting on the streets. "The HM discussed with the CM the security situation in the state and how to bring back normalcy," a senior ministry official said.
Reactions
Former CM Omar Abdullah slams Mufti for 'justice assured' tweet
"The Law won't be obstructed by the irresponsible actions & statements of a group of people. Proper procedures are being followed, investigations are on fast track, justice will be delivered," Mufti had tweeted. But former J&K CM Omar Abdullah lashed out at her: "What rubbish! They are HER ministers, not the Hon PM's. The way for her to express displeasure is to sack them."