Govt turns angry Aligarh into fortress

Mounting anger among locals over the brutal murder of a two-and-a-half-year-old girl in the Tappal village of UP’s Aligarh district has prompted authorities to deploy hundreds of paramilitary personnel there apart from other measures.

Ten companies of Rapid Action Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary along with police were pressed into action on Sunday. The personnel made rounds in anti-riot vehicles and cordoned off nearly 200 metres around the victim’s house, said officials.

District authorities turned extra cautious after messages calling for a ‘mahapanchayat’ appeared on social media. However, they said it has been called off.

“We have talked to prominent people of the society and they have expressed their satisfaction over the police action so far. The mahapanchayat has been called off,” said Rural Superintendent of Police Manilal Patidar.

Four people including the main accused Zahid, his wife and associate Aslam have been held for killing the girl in a revenge crime over a financial dispute Zahid had with the child’s father. The girl’s mutilated body was found on June 2 in a garbage dump.