Fringe elements communalising Kathua rape-murder case: J-K CPI (M)

The CPI (M)'s Jammu and Kashmir unit today alleged that some people were trying to give a "communal colour" to the alleged rape and murder of a eight-year-old girl in Kathua district.
The incident took place in January and day-by-day the matter is becoming controversial, the party claimed.
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 fringe elements are committing a heinous crime against the humanity, The CPI (M)'s Jammu regional committee secretary Sham Prasad Kesar said in a statement here.

The girl's body was recovered from the Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.
On January 23, the government handed over the murder case to the state police's crime branch which arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) in February for his alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of the girl.

Earlier, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had arrested a 15-year-old boy and claimed the accused had strangulated the victim after she resisted his rape attempt.
Questioning the presence of two senior BJP ministers at a rally organised by a fringe right-wing group protesting against the arrest of the SPO, the CPI (M) leader said a criminal act is being given "communal colour which is unfortunate.

"It is an irony that the (BJP) ministers are questioning the probe ordered by the state government, of which they are the part. The Crime Branch is a professional state government agency.
"Even the BJP has officially issued a statement, saying what was the objection to hand over the case to the CBI. Why is the BJP and its two ministers questioning the credibility of state institutions, he said.
The Hindu Ekta Manch is spearheading an agitation claiming that the probe agency is harassing innocent people and also demanded handing over of the case to the CBI.
By supporting the accused the Hindu Ekta Manch has shamelessly displayed their communal intentions, he said.

However, the Left party leader said the civil society and political groups in Jammu are strong and they should "unite and isolate the fringe elements, who want to communalise the situation in Jammu by holding marches", Kesar said.