Teen killed in alleged honour killing over inter-community relationship, brother, his friend arrest
Manesar, Haryana: Police have arrested two men in connection with the sexual assault and murder of a 19-year-old woman in what investigators describe as a case of honour killing linked to her relationship with a man from another community.
According to the police, the crime was allegedly planned by the woman’s 28-year-old brother. He had sought the help of his 30-year-old friend to carry out the killing and the friend is accused of raping the young woman before murdering her.
The family, originally from Etah and Agra districts of Uttar Pradesh, had been living in Manesar, Haryana, for nearly six years, as reported by Hindustan Times. Police said tensions escalated after the brother discovered that his sister was in a relationship with a 24-year-old man from another community and intended to marry him. Opposed to the relationship, he sent her back to their family home in Etah on November 15.
The woman returned to Manesar on November 22 and began living with her partner. Assistant Commissioner of Police Virender Saini said this prompted the brother to plan killing her. Acting on his directions, the co-accused contacted the woman, posing as someone willing to help her elope and marry her partner.
Trusting him, the woman agreed to meet near Rampura Chowk on the night of December 10 and instead of assisting her, the accused allegedly took her to a secluded area in Gwalior. Police said she was sexually assaulted there and, when she resisted, was beaten and later strangled with her scarf. Her body was subsequently concealed under debris in a field.
Following the murder, both men fled to their native places. During the initial investigation, the brother allegedly tried to divert suspicion towards the woman’s boyfriend, who was briefly detained. He was later released after evidence established that the brother and his friend were present at the crime scene.
Police said the brother later confessed during questioning, while the co-accused acknowledged to the rape and murder. A case has been filed under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder, criminal conspiracy, and common intent. Officials stated that forensic evidence, such as DNA analysis, post-mortem discoveries, and medical tests, will be utilized to support the charges.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
