A political blame game has erupted in Haryana over the murder of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) state chief Nafe Singh Rathee on Sunday with the party claiming he was denied security by the BJP government despite multiple requests.
INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala told reporters on Sunday evening after Rathee's murder that the latter had written to the authorities, including Chief Minister Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Khattar but his plea was ignored.
Rathee was killed after unidentified gunmen ambushed his SUV at Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district on Sunday evening. The miscreants came in a car and fired indiscriminately at Rathee’s vehicle near the railway crossing at Bahadurgarh, killing him immediately.
Chautala pinned the blame on the state government. "They are responsible because, six months ago, Rathee told me that he was informed by the police that his life was in danger. Rathee wrote to the SP, CM, and DG seeking security and probe into the threats. Former MLAs too informed the CM about the situation but no security was provided," he added.
VIDEO | Here's what INLD Secretary General, Abhay S. Chautala (@AbhaySChautala) said on INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathee's murder in Haryana's Jhajjar earlier today.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 25, 2024
"The state government bears direct responsibility for today's tragic incident in which Nafe Singh Rathee was shot… pic.twitter.com/N9Cw7EwM6E
Chautala accused the Khattar government of providing security to "accused in criminal cases but not to those who deserved it."
He said the Khattar government is trying to save itself by pinning the blame for Rathee’s killing on the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. "We will demand that a CBI investigation should be done into this and the accused should be punished. The government is trying to save itself by taking the name of the Lawrance gang. If you think so, then why wasn't security provided to Rathee," Chautala added.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that Haryana has fallen prey to anarchy. He said criminals are ruling the roost and law and order has collapsed in Haryana.
AAP said the "rule of law has ended in Haryana and jungle raj prevails". "No one is safe in Haryana today," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sushil Gupta told reporters.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Jawahar Yadav on Sunday said that parties should not do politics over somebody's death and efforts should be directed to nab the accused. Yadav added they were not aware of any demand for security for Rathee.
"The police are doing their work. We understand the seriousness of it. The CIA and STF have already begun their investigation. Strict action will be taken against the accused. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal should refrain from doing politics during such situations. I am not aware of any demand for security for him (Nafe Singh Rathee)," Yadav told ANI.
He also hit out at Surjewala, stating nobody takes him seriously in Haryana. "All that he does is make statements. I don't wish to count the number of murders that happened during the time of Deepender Hooda or Randeep Surjewala," he added.
