Ror community demands CBI probe into Karnal encounter

The victim, Veer alias Veeru Valmiki, was allegedly shot dead by two bike-borne men near Luv Kush Colony on Hansi road in Karnal on August 5

A week after the alleged deaths of two men following an encounter in connection with the murder of a 28-year-old man in Karnal, the Ror community organised a mahapanchayat in Kurukshetra on Wednesday, demanding a CBI or high court-monitored probe into the incident.

According to the police, Valmiki was accused in at least three criminal cases involving petty disputes or brawls. (HT File)

The victim, Veer alias Veeru Valmiki, was allegedly shot dead by two bike-borne men near Luv Kush Colony on Hansi road in Karnal on August 5. According to the police, Valmiki was accused in at least three criminal cases involving petty disputes or brawls.

On August 7, Karnal police claimed to have killed two men in connection with Valmiki’s murder. According to the police, the accused, Harsh alias Harsu from Kala Majra village of Karnal and Birbal alias Veer, a resident of Matarwa Khedi in Kaithal were killed in an encounter when both tried to open fire on police personnel, prompting retaliatory firing from the police.

Terming the encounter as “fake”, the mahapanchayat demanded a fair high-level probe into the matter. After the mahapanchayat, Balkar Pundri, president of Akhil Bhartiya Ror Mahasabha said the community demanded a probe by a retired high court or sessions court judge or by the CBI.

“The gathering also resolved to demand that the government take action against Karnal BJP MLA Jagmohan Anand and transfer SP Narender Bijrania until the probe is done. Having a big share in the government, the community is angry as our sentiments have been hurt due to this action against an innocent boy,” he said.

The gathering was also attended by Pundri BJP MLA Satpal Jamba and Samar Kalyan, elder brother of Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan. Speaking at the gathering, Jamba said that he will stand by the community, whatever the decision.

For a reaction, SP Bijrania was unavailable for comment. However, police earlier claimed that during the night of August 6 and 7, they set up a checkpoint acting on information about the movement of suspects in connection with the murder. When cops tried to stop the bike-borne persons, they allegedly opened fire on the police team. The police team retaliated, injuring both suspects. They were rushed to the district civil hospital, where doctors declared them dead.