Two including Sarpanch arrested for allegedly murdering woman in Budgam

Budgam: An unsuccessful matrimonial relationship that was reportedly a cause of conflict between two families in Kashmir’s Budgam district later led to murder of Zaina Begam, mother of five, and left many others injured. Police have arrested a village head along with another person who are allegedly involved in the case.
The alleged murder took place in Sutharan village of Budgam district during a clash between the two families. Scores of residents of this village on Monday protested in Srinagar’ press enclave to demand arrest of all the accused. Displaying their wounds and stitches, the protestors including children, women and men appealed police to arrest all the culprits without any delay.
A police official claimed to have already registered a case in this regard and arrested the Sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Lone, and another person Mohammad Amin Lone after initial inquiry. “More arrests are expected once inquiry will be completed,” he said, adding that the feud between the Bhat and Sheikh families was the outcome of an ‘unsuccessful matrimonial relationship’.
The protesters accused the Sarpanch and the Panch of the village of having a role in the murder. They also alleged that the police was shielding the culprits due to political pressure.
“Our neighbouring Bhat family headed by Akbar Bhat, his issues and relatives supported by Sarpanch and Panch attacked us with axes and sharp edged weapons. They kicked and strangled our mother to death and during the clash razed our two houses to ground,” Abdul Gani Sheikh told Srinagar based news agency CNS adding that they were fearing for their lives as police was allegedly reluctant to arrest the culprits due to political affiliation of an accused.
(CNS)