Jammu: Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA M Y Tarigami today termed the rally organised by a fringe right-wing group, demanding the release of the accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl, as the most “shameful act” and against human values.

He expressed hope that the civil society here would raise its voice to seek justice for the eight-year-old girl, allegedly raped and murdered in Kathua district last month.

Body of the minor girl was recovered from Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.

On Jan 23, the government handed over the case to crime branch of the state police which arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) for his alleged involvement in abduction and killing of the girl in February.

Earlier, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had arrested a 15-year-old boy and claimed he had strangulated the victim after she resisted his rape attempt.

Quoting example of similar brutal incident in Lahore in Pakistan, where a seven-year-old girl was raped and brutally murdered, the CPI(M) leader said the accused has been sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in shortest possible period of four days.

The civil society in Pakistan used its influence to get the speedy trial of the case and they succeeded in their mission. I am hopeful that similar efforts would be made by the civil society here to ensure that the accused in the minor’s rape and murder case are hanged to death without any further delay,” he said.

Referring to the rally taken out on Thursday last to seek the release of the accused, Tarigami said it is an “indication of dangers confronting Jammu and Kashmir”.

By supporting the accused the Hindu Ekta Manch has shamelessly displayed their communal intentions. Using national flag during the rally is an insult to tri-colour and things cant get more horrible than this,” he said.

The MLA said some fringe elements in Jammu are “hell bent” on giving religious colour to this heinous crime.

Not only people cutting across political and ideological differences should unite to against this horrific incident, but the government must take stern action against the accused without showing any leniency to them,” he said.

“A criminal is a criminal irrespective of his caste, colour and creed and must be dealt according to law, Tarigami said.