ASI cremated day after FIR in suicide; son, 8, lights pyre | Jind News

Julana/Jind: ASI Sandeep Kumar Lather, who died by suicide on Tuesday, was cremated in his native Julana town in Jind on Thursday after autopsy in Rohtak.His family had refused to allow postmortem or cremation until an FIR was registered against all those he had named in his final video. After the FIR, his family consented to the autopsy, which was carried out in Rohtak on Thursday afternoon.The family then took the body to Julana, around 35km away, for cremation.Hry khaps strategise to avert repeat of 2016 caste violenceJind: Haryana khap panchayats are planning further strategies to address the suicide of Sandeep Kumar on October 14 and have begun holding meetings with prominent representatives.The khaps have demanded that the incident should not spark a repeat of the 2016 caste-based violence in the state, and they are preparing their approach accordingly.They are also demanding a free and fair investigation into Sandeep Kumar’s suicide, drawing a parallel with the probe into the IPS Y Puran Kumar case. The khaps want justice for the bereaved family of Sandeep Kumar, who hailed from Julana town in Jind district, the same for the IPS Y Puran Kumar who committed suicide on October 7.However, none of the khaps from the Bangar area — where more than 23 khaps exist — have so far called for extending support to the family or taken any active part. Sandeep Kumar’s family has refused to cremate the body until justice is delivered, and khaps are concerned this could lead to a deadlock with the state govt amid emerging caste-line politics in the case.Suresh Singh, president of the Naugama khap in Jind district, said the khaps are seeking justice in both matters.“We demand that the accused named in the FIR filed by the wife of late IPS Y Puran Kumar be investigated thoroughly, including their property and financial status of all 14 IPS and IAS officers. The same should be done in Sandeep Kumar’s case to ensure equal justice. Khaps do not want any ruckus in the state,” he added.Samunder Phour, spokesperson of Majra khap, said the khap will not allow any violence in the state on caste lines.“We are mulling over tactics to deal with this fresh incident. If needed, we will call people from various sections of society, but violence will not be tolerated at any cost. Anyone found attempting to disturb social harmony will not be spared. We may call a meeting to bring all khaps together if required. Khap panchayats are aware of the BJP’s alleged ill will, and plans will be prepared accordingly,” he said.Meanwhile, Anil Rathi, head of the Chaubisi Sarvakhap Panchayat, appealed for calm, urging people not to give the case a caste angle. “Both the suicides — of IPS Puran Kumar and ASI Sandeep — must be investigated impartially. No one should act on rumours,” he said.