INLD’s Haryana chief Nafe Singh Rathi shot dead

Ravinder Saini

Jhajjar, February 25

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Haryana president and two-time MLA Nafe Singh Rathi (66) and his associate, identified as Jai Kishan of Mandhothi village, were gunned down in broad daylight by unidentified car-borne assailants near Barahi level crossing in Bahadurgarh town here this evening. Rathi’s two gunmen were injured in the attack.

No security despite threat to life

The two-time MLA was not provided security by state govt. Representations were made to senior cops and state home minister about threats to his life. Abhay Chautala, INLD leader

The injured have been admitted to a private hospital. The reason behind the killings is yet to be ascertained. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. No case had been registered till the filing of the report.

Rathi was sitting in the front seat of his SUV when the assailants waylaid the vehicle near the Barahi level crossing and opened indiscriminate fire from close range. The assailants sped away after the incident. Hearing the gunshots, a passerby informed the police.

Jhajjar Superintendent of Police Dr Arpit Jain along with police officials later rushed to the scene and supervised the probe. “Teams of the CIA and Special Task Force are making efforts to identify and nab the assailants,” said the SP.

Rathi was a resident of Bahadurgarh and had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from Rohtak. Bahadurgarh falls in the Rohtak parliamentary constituency.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that not a single culprit involved in this case will be spared. Police have been instructed to arrest the accused as soon as possible and take strictest action, he said.

Former CM Bhupinder S Hooda said the killings reflected the state of law and order in Haryana. In a post, he said: “This incident clearly shows bankruptcy in maintaining law and order.”