Soldier was murdered, says FIR at Cantt PS in Ferozepur

MANGALORE: There is a sordid twist in the tale of death of Lance Naik Krishnappa Gowda, 32, who was posted at 507, Army Services Corps, Ferozepur at Indo-Pakistan border. Contrary to reports that Krishnappa, son of farmer couple Chanana Gowda and Monamma of Balike in Nada in Belthangady died in firing from across the border, or from cardiac arrest, it has now emerged that Krishnappa was murdered by yet to be named or identified assailants.
Krishnappa Gowda, a non-commissioned officer in ASC was initially suspected to have died of cardiac arrest while on sentry duty. Another theory that did rounds was that he could have died in hostile fire from across the fence. However, it was the alacrity of Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal in perusing through official documents that came with Krishnappa's casket that the harsh truth of Krishnappa being murdered came to light.
Personnel of Territorial Army had accompanied the body of Krishnappa and later took it to his native village for cremation. Abhishek said the official documents also contained a first information report filed at Cantt Police Station in Ferozepur district of Punjab citing murder as the cause of Krishnappa's death. "We have sought details from the authorities concerned," SP said adding that it was he broke this bitter truth to parents of Krishnappa.
While the Corps of Military Police of Indian Army is expected to conduct an internal inquiry into the circumstances under which Krishnappa died, ASI Vijay Kumar of Cantt PS, who was the duty officer when the incident was reported to the local police told TOI that Krishnappa's body in full uniform was found a kilometre away from his sentry post in the early hours of August 13. "His wound injuries indicate he was murdered," ASI said.
Stating that Police Inspector Dalbir Singh has since taken up the investigation, Vijay Kumar said the ASC has large campus at Ferozepur and any criminal case reported there is registered at civil police station - Cantt police station in this case. "We will mutually exchange our findings," Vijay said, adding that the viscera have been sent to the Chemical Laboratory and the cause of the death would be known once the laboratory submits the reports.