The bandh call given by the Bawal 84 panchayat evoked an overwhelming response with main markets and private schools remaining shut in Bawal town on Saturday.
The bandh was against the police’s failure to locate 13-year-old-schoolgirl Shivani, who went missing from Mohanpur village on June 27.
People of several villages continued to stage dharna outside the local residence of Public Health Engineering Minister Banwari Lal for the third day. They announced to boycott Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s scheduled visit to Bawal on October 16 if the girl was not found by then.
Rewari SP Rahul Sharma reached the dharna spot to persuade the protesters to end their agitation, but failed to do so. The protesters clearly said the agitation would continue till the girl is found.
“It is surprising the police are pulling out all the stops to make us end our agitation instead of locating the girl. We will carry on the agitation till she is found,” said Ram Kishan Mehlawat, leader of the protesters.
Mehlawat said they had also staged a dharna outside the mini secretariat in Rewari for over a month and had ended it following an assurance by Industries Minister Vipul Goel about the recovery of the girl within some days. He had also informed that the girl was safe, he added.
“When the police know about the girl’s location, why are they delaying her reunion with her family?” he questioned.
Sonu, the girl’s father who is a labourer, said he suspected the involvement of his neighbours in the case, but alleged that the police had failed to question them properly.
Meanwhile, Minister Banwari Lal said that on his request, the DGP had handed over the case to the state Crime Branch, which had started its investigation. “I am ready to provide every possible help to the girl’s family,” he added. The SP could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.
