Chamba youngster’s murder: Himachal Pradesh ex-CM Shanta Kumar calls for central probe

21-year-old resident of Salooni sub division, Manohar Lal, went missing on June 6 but his body parts were recovered from three jute bags near a stream in the valley three days later

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar on Saturday called for a central investigation agency to probe the brutal murder of a 21-year-old resident of Chamba district, Manohar Lal, on June 6 whose body parts were recovered from three jute bags near a stream in the valley three days later.

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar on Saturday backed the demand of the people of Chamba for a central agency probe into the brutal murder of a local youngster, Manohar Lal. (HT file photo)

“It’s a heinous crime and an unfortunate incident. The people of Chamba are making only one demand that this serious crime should be investigated by a central agency. Their demand is absolutely correct. The manner of the murder and all circumstances surrounding it do not make it a simple murder. That’s why the investigation should be done only by a central agency,” Kumar said.

The youngster, a BJP worker, was murdered in Bhandal panchayat of Salooni sub division in Chamba district over an “inter-community love affair”. Police have arrested eight members of a family, including three women, one of who was in a relationship with the victim. The murder weapon has also been recovered.