Showing support: Include ATA in minor girl’s murder case, orders Khuhro

The minister also promised to take care of the expenses of the wedding of the victim’s sister.

SUKKUR:

Sindh Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has ordered the Larkana police to add sections of the anti-terrorism act in the murder case of a minor girl, Sindhu.

Five-year-old Fauzia alias Sindhu was assaulted and killed on Friday in Yar Muhammad Colony. The minister issued these orders while paying a visit to the victim's house on Monday afternoon alongside Larkana DIG Saen Rakhio Mirani, Larkana SSP Kamran Nawaz and former MPA Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi.



Offering his condolences to the victim's family, the minister directed the police to give priority to this case and warned that any laxity will not be tolerated.

The victim's mother, Begum Khatoon, told Khuhro that her elder daughter's wedding was scheduled to take place in a couple of days but has been postponed due to Sindhu's murder. Khuhro assured her that all the expenses for her daughter's wedding will be borne by him. He also announced to bear all the expenses incurred on the education of the victim's elder brother, Ghulam Abbas Soomro, who is studying in class seven. He also ordered the Larkana DIG to establish a police picket near Sindhu's house to provide them security against any threat.

Sindhu's uncle Rasool Bux Soomro, while talking to The Express Tribune, expressed his grief at the brutal murder of his niece. "The accused have buried us alive by assaulting and killing our innocent girl," he said, demanding that the government award them exemplary punishment.

SSP Nawaz told The Express Tribune that while one of the arrested accused, a 14-year-old boy, has confessed the crime, the police are investigating the case thoroughly as they do not want to leave any aspect unattended. He added that a high-level investigation team, comprising two senior DSPs and two senior inspectors, has been constituted to resolve this case. He also confirmed the addition of anti-terrorism act's sections 6 and 7 in the already registered FIR by the victim's mother.



Hindu Panchayat Larkana president and human rights activist Advocate Kalpana Devi strongly condemned Sindhu's murder. She said that even though Younis will be tried in a juvenile court, what he has committed calls for capital punishment. She was of the view that a speedy trial should be held in this case and if the accused is not awarded death penalty then at least he should be imprisoned for life.

The Larkana police have so far arrested three accused, young boy and his uncles, Shoaib Jatoi and Niaz Jatoi. The 14-year-old has already confessed to his crime.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2014.