Chandigarh boy cremated amidst heart-rending wails, moist eyes
January 7th, 2011 - 9:55 pm ICT by IANSChandigarh, Jan 7 (IANS) Five-year-old kidnap victim Khushpreet Singh, whose body was found on the city outskirts Wednesday, was cremated amidst heart-wrenching wails and moist eyes of family and relatives here Friday.The cremation ground here in Sector 25 saw a heavy rush of people, who had come out in support of the grief-stricken family.
Kushpreet’s post-mortem was conducted at a government hospital in Sector 16, and his body was directly taken to the cremation ground from there.
In the wake of public unrest, heavy police force was deployed on the stretch between the hospital to the cremation ground to avoid any untoward incident. Besides, the cremation ground was virtually converted into a police cantonment. Senior police officers, including the senior superintendent of police, were present there.
After the cremation, Khushpreet’s family went to a gurdwara (Sikh shrine) to offer prayers.
Kushpreet’s father Lakhbir Singh urged the agitated people to maintain peace.
“I appeal to everyone to maintain law and order. We want strict action against the police officers who are responsible for my son’s death,” Lakhbir said.
Khushpreet’s autopsy was delayed by one day as Lakhbir had refused to allow anyone to take his son’s body Thursday until action was taken against the errant police officers.
However, he changed his mind after the Chandigarh administration named a magisterial inquiry to probe allegations of police laxity in the case. The inquiry officer has been directed to submit the report within 10 days.
Besides, Panjab University’s non-teaching employees’ federation has decided not to celebrate Lohri festival to show solidarity with the victim’s family.
Khushpreet was kidnapped from Burail village last month. His corpse was found dumped in neighbouring Mohali town Wednesday.
Following this, the village was Wednesday rocked by widespread violence which continued till Thursday. Several people, mainly youth, hurled stones and bricks at the police whom they blamed for inaction in handling the kidnapping case.
Chandigarh’s district magistrate Thursday evening issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the criminal procedure code.
The situation was tense at Burail Friday but no fresh incident of violence or disorder was reported.
- Kidnapped boy found dead in Chandigarh, probe ordered (Lead) - Jan 06, 2011
- Chandigarh kidnapping case: Three cops suspended - Jan 19, 2011
- Suspended for kidnapped kid's killing, 3 cops reinstated - Jun 24, 2011
- Body of kidnapped boy found, traffic blocked (Lead) - Jan 05, 2011
- Khushpreet murder case cracked, neighbours held - Mar 22, 2011
- Tension in Chandigarh after kidnapped boy found dead (Second lead) - Jan 06, 2011
- Tension continues in Chandigarh after kidnapped boy found dead - Jan 06, 2011
- Murdered Chandigarh boy's kin return compensation - Jan 20, 2011
- Kidnapping case: Two senior cops transferred - Jan 05, 2011
- Abducted kid's father threatens to commit suicide - Dec 27, 2010
- Five-year-old boy kidnapped in Chandigarh (Lead) - Dec 23, 2010
- Five-year-old kidnapped in Chandigarh - Dec 23, 2010
- Chandigarh Police drawing flak from all quarters - Jan 09, 2011
- Third accused held for murder of five-year-old - May 02, 2011
- Growing crime: Radio, Facebook to Chandigarh police's rescue - Feb 04, 2011
Tags: chandigarh administration, city outskirts, cremation, employees federation, government hospital, gurdwara, heavy rush, inquiry officer, laxity, lohri, magisterial inquiry, mohali, moist eyes, panjab university, police cantonment, public unrest, stricken family, strict action, untoward incident, wails