CPI(M) senior leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, on February 18, has termed the rally organised by a fringe right-wing group using the tricolour, demanding the release of the accused in the brutal rape-and-murder case of an eight-year-old Bakerwal girl in Kathua district, as most shameful and against human values.

The rally is an indication of dangers confronting Jammu and Kashmir. By supporting the accused the ‘Hindu Ekta Manch’ has shamelessly displayed their communal intentions. Using national flag during the rally is an insult of tricolour and things can’t get more horrible than this, he said.

Some fringe elements in Jammu are hell bent on giving communal colour to this heinous crime. Not only people cutting across political and ideological differences should unite against this horrific incident, but the government must take stern action against the accused as well as those who are trying to communalise this unfortunate incident.

Civil society, political groups and saner voices in Jammu and in the state should unitedly fight for justice to the girl, who was raped and brutally murdered by the criminals. They should unite and isolate the fringe elements, who want to communalise the situation in Jammu by holding marches in favour of those accused. Such acts will embolden criminals and lead to a serious situation in the state, he warned. There should be no room for those who shield the criminals under any garb what so ever.

A criminal is a criminal irrespective of his caste, colour and creed and must be dealt according to law. By evoking emotions and giving communal colour to the girl’s rape and murder, these elements are committing a crime by justifying and supporting this brutal act. These anti-social and anti-human elements are trying to create hurdles to the process of investigation and should not be allowed to do so. The government must act firmly against the perpetrators of this crime.

Quoting example of similar brutal incident in Lahore, Pakistan, where a seven-year-old girl was raped and brutally murdered, he said, the accused has been sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in shortest possible period of four days.

The civil society in Pakistan used its influence to get the speedy trial of the case and they succeeded in their mission. Similar efforts would be made by the civil society here to ensure that the accused in the rape and murder case are brought to book and punished quickly.

During the recently concluded assembly session he had moved a calling attention notice to demand the status of the investigation ordered into the rape and murder case. In its reply, the government had assured that the case would be taken to logical conclusion and those found guilty will be sternly punished.