Almora Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar Shukla learnt from news channels that Satish Singh hailed from his district.
"We had no idea that he was wanted for the killings," the SP said. Shukla said the local police would definitely try to find out the origin of the accused if the Noida police authorities contact us."
Almora residents greeted the news of Surendra Singh’s arrest with dismay. "It is indeed shocking," said Jaimitra Bisht, a professional photographer. "I couldn’t believe my ears while hearing the news anchors naming him."
Bhuvan Joshi, a businessman said the “news was unbelievable”. “I am still not ready to believe that a simple youth from the hills can be involved in such a gruesome crime.’’
However, both Joshi and Bisht agreed the news of a simple hill man from Almora being involved in the skeleton recovery case would send wrong signals.
"It would really create a very bad impression about people from Uttaranchal, otherwise known all over the country for their simplicity, honesty and integrity," Joshi said.
"If what is being reported by TV channels is true then it’s a disturbing trend’," added Bisht. "The trend shows even hill people, especially those residing in big cities like Delhi and Bombay can be capable of such crimes," he said.
"If what is being reported by TV channels is true then it’s a disturbing trend’," added Bisht. "The trend shows even hill people, especially those residing in big cities like Delhi and Bombay can be capable of such crimes," he said.
Joshi said it did not augur well for the simple people from hills residing in the glittering megalopolises tends to lose his simplicity.
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