The last rites of 19-year-old teacher Manisha, whose death will now be investigated by the CBI, were held in Bhiwani on Thursday. Her body was found in a field on August 13. She had gone missing on August 11 after leaving school, reportedly to enquire about admission at a nursing college.
On Thursday, the Haryana government extended the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS (except banking and recharge), and dongle services in Bhiwani district for another 24 hours from 11 am.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had announced a CBI probe on Wednesday after the teacher’s family demanded it. A third post-mortem was conducted at AIIMS, Delhi, on Wednesday afternoon, following which her body reached Bhiwani late in the evening. Earlier, autopsies were carried out at Bhiwani Civil Hospital and PGIMS, Rohtak.
The cremation took place on Thursday morning in her native village Dhani Laxman, where a large number of people gathered. Manisha’s father Sanjay was inconsolable as the pyre was lit.
Earlier this week, mobile internet and SMS services were suspended in both Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts for 48 hours due to public anger over the teacher’s death. The restriction now continues only in Bhiwani.
According to an order by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra, "This order is being extended to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order only in the jurisdiction of district Bhiwani for next 24 hours, that is from 11:00 hrs of August 21."
Manisha’s death had triggered massive outrage, with residents blocking roads and demanding a CBI probe as well as an AIIMS autopsy. A village committee led the protest, which was called off after the demands were accepted.
The police had earlier said investigations pointed to the teacher dying by suicide by ingesting poison. But the discovery of a “suicide note” on Monday changed the course of the probe and sparked more protests. Her father rejected the claim outright, saying, “My daughter can never commit suicide. I want justice.” He refused to cremate the body till his daughter gets "justice".
Opposition parties have also attacked the BJP-led government, accusing it of law and order failure. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleged negligence and said attempts were being made to present the case as a suicide.
Also Read: CBI to probe Bhiwani teacher’s death, says CM Saini
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