VHP, Bajrang Dal dharna today

AHMEDABAD, March 29: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal have demanded a probe into the killing of Dal activist Hari Devabhai S...

AHMEDABAD, March 29: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal have demanded a probe into the killing of Dal activist Hari Devabhai Solanki and announced a condolence meeting and a dharna near Town Hall tomorrow.

The condolence meeting and the dharna would begin at 5 pm.

A delegation of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal met Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel in Gandhinagar and police commissioner Hiralal here and submitted memoranda, condemning the murder and demanding arrest of the culprits within 24 hours.

After the meetings, the organisations issued statements, saying they had withdrawn their call for Ahmedabad bandh on Tuesday following assurance by Patel and Hiralal of early action.

However, State VHP general secretary Dilip Trivedi said, demonstrations would be held all over the State tomorrow for action against police officers who were not performing duty and were biased towards a particular community.

Also, he said, activists from both the organisations would soon launch a State-wide crusade against cow-slaughter.

The VHP announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to next kin of Solanki who was murdered in Vejalpur in the wee hours today. The Gitaben Rambhia Smriti Ahimsa Trust also announced a compensation of Rs 11,000 for the bereaved family.

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Trust secretary and crusader against cow-slaughter Bachubhai Rambhia claimed he had received threat calls on telephone on Monday. The Hindi-speaking anonymous caller had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not stop his crusade. Rambhia said he had lodged a complaint with Astodia police and was provided with security.

Several social and religious organisations also condemned the killing. In a statement, Hindu Samrajya Sena chief Ashok Sharma demanded immediate action against the assailants, alleging that China, who was arrested by police, had been involved in two murder cases.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya met senior police officials at the police commissionerate and reviewed the law and order situation in the evening. Additional Chief Secretary Home V V R Subba Rao was present.