Ludhiana: Market closed as locals stage protest, accuse police of neglect
The victim’s son, Pankaj alleged that the police are completely absent from our area; criminals roam freely and do whatever they want; he added that the motive of the crime appeared to be murder rather than robbery
A day after the brutal murder of Ram Dhani Tiwari, 55, owner of a furniture showroom in Durga Colony, his family members along with locals and shopkeepers staged a protest on Wednesday, accusing the police of negligence.
The protesters threatened to initiate fast unto death if the accused were not arrested till Thursday. The entire market remained shut as protesters gathered to express their anger over the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.
They alleged that the Focal Point police had failed to maintain basic security in the locality. They claimed that police patrols were almost non-existent, resulting in such crimes. They also raised concerns about late-night disturbances, pointing out that loud music was playing in the neighborhood till 1 am on the night of the murder — well past the permitted time of 11 PM. Many feared the noise could have masked the victim’s cries for help.
Tiwari was found dead inside his showroom on Tuesday morning with his legs tied and mouth gagged. His body bore both sharp and blunt injuries. Police have recovered a sharp-edged weapon and a brick from the scene, suspected to be the murder weapons. Alongside the murder, the assailants reportedly stole two LED TVs and other goods from the shop. CCTV footage from the locality showed at least eight men carrying the stolen items, who are now prime suspects.
According to the victim’s son, Pankaj Tiwari, his father had dinner at home as usual on Monday night before returning to sleep at the shop, a routine he followed regularly. The next morning, when Tiwari didn’t return for breakfast and didn’t respond to calls, Pankaj asked a nearby vegetable vendor to check on him. The vendor found the main shutter closed, but the back door ajar with bloodstains visible, and immediately alerted the police.
Pankaj alleged that the police are completely absent from our area. Criminals roam freely and do whatever they want. He added that the motive of the crime appeared to be murder rather than robbery. “If they only wanted to steal, they could have just tied my father up. But they killed him brutally.”
Inspector Amandeep Singh Brar, SHO at Focal Point police station, confirmed that some of the suspects had been detained and further investigations were underway. He added that the police had verified reports of a DJ being played during a nearby birthday party on the night of the crime and were probing all possible angles related to the case.