CHANDIGARH: The brutal murder of 18-year-old Manisha-a school teacher from Loharu in Bhiwani district, has triggered widespread protests after police failed to identify her killers even five days after her body was recovered.
Manisha, who taught at a private play school, went missing on August 11 while on her way to seek admission in a B.Sc. course. Her family lodged a missing complaint, but police initially dismissed it, suggesting she had run away. On August 13, her body was found near a canal in Singhaani village. The post-mortem in Rohtak confirmed she was killed with a sharp weapon, and her eyes were missing. There is no confirmation yet of sexual assault.
The lack of progress in the probe has sparked anger among villagers and her family, who have refused to cremate her body until the culprits are caught. Protests have spread across Loharu, Dhigawa, Bahl, and Charkhi Dadri, with villagers blocking the Delhi-Pilani National Highway, holding candlelight marches, and observing market shutdowns.
Amid mounting criticism, the state government transferred Bhiwani Superintendent of Police Manbir Singh and suspended five police officers from Loharu police station for negligence. Rohtak Range IG Y. Puran Kumar visited the protest site and met a 21-member committee of villagers, who accused police of ignoring the family’s complaint, alleging this lapse cost Manisha her life.
Political reactions have intensified the pressure. Former minister JP Dalal assured the family that justice would be ensured, while state minister Shruti Chaudhary termed the murder “heartbreaking” and promised strict punishment for the guilty. Opposition leaders, including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda and JJP leader Digvijay Chautala, accused the Saini government of failing to maintain law and order.
Police said multiple teams are working on the case and technical evidence is being analyzed, but no suspect has been identified so far. IG Kumar expressed confidence that the killers would be caught soon.
The case has become a major challenge for the Nayab Saini-led Haryana government, as protests and public anger continue to mount putting a question mark over the law and order and safety of women.
