Top cop begins probe in Junagadh rape, murder

Junagadh, May 23 (UNI) Additional DGP V K Gupta, who was appointed yesterday by the State Government to investigate the rape and murder of two girls here, visited the scene of the crime today and began his probe.

The incident had occurred on May 13 at Upla-Datar hill. A girl belonging to Khant tribal community was raped while another belonging to Koli community was murdered.

Though ten days have elapsed, the police are yet to arrest the two culprits who have been identified as Mohan Hamir and Ramesh alias Bhadiya, who are said to be hiding in the hilly area.

The two girls were allegedly abducted by the two men from near Datar shrine in Junagadh district on May 13 when a family from Rajkot and their friends from Junagadh had visited the shrine. The girls were abducted after they got separated from their family and taken to nearby forest areas where the crime was committed.

The fallout of the incident has been that Junagadh DSP Mangalsinh Parmar was transferred to Jamnagar. The government has also announced a reward of Rs 15,000 to anyone who gives information about the two fugitives. Rajkot Koli Samaj president Kiranbhai has also announced a reward of Rs 151,000 to anyone who provides information about the two criminals.

Meanwhile, the Koli community members are hosting a meeting at Gandhinagar this evening to chalk out their future course of action. State Fisheries Minister Purshottam Solanki is also expected to attend the meeting.

UNI