As protests continue over murder of 19-year-old Haryana teacher, political storm intensifies
The resident of Dhani Laxman village in Bhiwani’s Loharu went missing on August 11. Her body was discovered on August 13 in the Singhani village.
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Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said he is receiving minute-by-minute updates from the police, and that several people are currently being interrogated in connection with the case. (Express Photo)Amid continuing protests across several parts of Haryana Monday over the suspected murder of a 19-year-old play school teacher in a village in Bhiwani last week, the issue has taken centre stage in political circles.
Manisha, a resident of Dhani Laxman village in Bhiwani’s Loharu, went missing on August 11. Her body was discovered on August 13 in the Singhani village.
As the Opposition launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said he is receiving minute-by-minute updates from the police, and that several people are currently being interrogated in connection with the case.
A senior police officer told The Indian Express Monday, “Manisha’s body was found without a neck, with doctors suggesting that the wound was chewed by animals. The experts are also analysing whether the acid was thrown on her body.”
“We have lodged an FIR under murder charges, but we are probing the case from all angles. All the suspects have already been rounded up, but as of now, there is no headway regarding the murder angle,” the officer added.
With the family refusing to claim the body, protests erupted in Bhiwani, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Jind Monday.
In Bhiwani, college students blocked the Bhiwani-Hansi road for some time, demanding the arrest of the killers. In Jind, students staged a march and shouted slogans against the government.
On Sunday, shopkeepers in Loharu and Siwani shut their shops in protest, while villagers blocked local roads.
An indefinite dharna is ongoing at Dhingawa village in Bhiwani district, with Opposition leaders continuing to visit the protest site. Cabinet Minister Shruti Choudhry also visited the dharna venue, assuring the victim’s family that “the state government and the administration stand by them.”
Chief Minister Saini stated, “Manisha is our daughter, and the daughter of the entire family. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure justice for her and her family.”
Saini said the police are conducting a “thorough and impartial investigation,” and that “strict action will be taken against the culprits as soon as the investigation report is finalised.” “No one involved in this crime will be spared.”
Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the government’s response. “If the police had acted in time, her life could have been saved. This crime has exposed not just the brutality of the culprits, but also the failure of the law and order system. Law and order has completely collapsed across Haryana,” said Hooda.
Sirsa Congress MP and former Union minister Kumari Selja said, “The brutal murder of teacher Manisha in Bhiwani district of Haryana has shaken the entire nation.”
On Saturday, Manisha’s father, Sanjay, told the media: “The police personnel told me that if my daughter has gone missing, she must have eloped and she will come back in two days.”
Amidst the protests, the Haryana government last Friday transferred Bhiwani’s superintendent of police Manbir Singh, and suspended Loharu police station in-charge Ashok, Assistant Sub-Inspector Shakuntala, Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) team ASI Anoop, Constable Pawan, and Special Police Officer (SPO) Dharmendra.
Sumit Kumar has been appointed as the new Bhiwani SP and is currently supervising the investigation.
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