Daylight murder in Mandi: Teen student killed, accused hunted down by locals

MANDI: A 19-year-old college student was hacked to death in broad daylight in the Gopalpur area of Sarkaghat subdivision on Monday, allegedly by a man from her village, sparking outrage among residents.The victim, Sia Guleria, was on her way to college in Sarkaghat around 9am when she was attacked. Police said she was repeatedly struck on the head, neck and hands with a sharp-edged weapon and died on the spot. The accused fled and hid in a nearby forest.After locals alerted police, teams led by the SHO and DSP rushed to the scene, followed by Mandi SP Vinod Kumar along with a forensic team. As word of the killing spread, villagers joined the search for the accused.Residents of Gopalpur panchayat later tracked him down near a wheat field in a forested area. Identified as 36-year-old Vikas from the same village, he was allegedly assaulted by the crowd before being handed over to police.Police have registered a murder case at Sarkaghat police station and arrested the accused. “Evidence has been collected from the spot and the accused is being questioned. The body has been sent to the Medical College and Hospital in Nerchowk for postmortem. The weapon used in the crime will be recovered soon,” SP Vinod Kumar said, adding that the motive is yet to be established.Sources said initial findings suggest the attack may have followed the victim rejecting the accused’s advances. Some locals also alleged he was a drug addict.Condemning the incident, Himachal Pradesh governor Kavinder Gupta called the killing “heinous and deeply disturbing” and sought a detailed report from officiating DGP Ashok Tiwari, directing swift action.The State Commission for Women chairperson Vidya Negi demanded a speedy probe and strict punishment for the accused.Sarkaghat BJP MLA Dalip Thakur linked the incident to rising drug abuse, alleging a breakdown of law and order. “There is fear in the area. The government has failed to curb drugs. This shows no one is safe,” he said.