JANAKPURDHAM, May 25: Gender and sexual minorities staged a protest in Janakpurdham today, demanding the arrest of those involved in the murder of Anshu Yadav.
They gathered at Bajrang Chowk in Janakpurdham and marched through Ramananda Chowk to the District Administration Office.
Protesters demanded justice for 17-year-old Anshu Yadav of Bindhi, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-23, and called on authorities to arrest the perpetrators.
On Holi, March 31, someone fatally stabbed Anshu. Police arrested local resident Dharmendra Mahto at the crime scene on murder charges. The Dhanusha District Court sent him to jail for trial.
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However, police released another suspect, 45-year-old Ram Dahina Mahato, despite accusations of his involvement in the murder.
Protesters carried placards that read, "Down with the corrupt government," "Down with the local administration," "Down with the judge," and "The son died, let justice not die."
The deceased’s mother, Archana Yadav, and her two minor daughters actively joined the protest. Archana said the administration summoned the protesters inside the office for a discussion, where the Chief District Officer informed them that the police had arrested two suspects in her son’s murder, but the court had already released one. “The CDO told us, ‘The police arrested two people, but one has been released by the court. We can’t do anything further. You should approach the higher court,’” Archana recounted.
After hearing the CDO’s response, the protesters tried to march toward the District Court. However, the police blocked their path, forcing them to sit down on the road in protest.
Earlier, protesters blocked the road at Ramananda Chowk and vandalized around a dozen vehicles along the Janakpur-Dhalkebar road for nearly an hour.
Previously, the victim Anshu's mother, Archana Yadav, and local residents had twice staged protests by blocking the Janakpur-Jaleshwar road section at Bindhi.
Archana Yadav filed a police complaint alleging that seven individuals murdered her son. However, the police have arrested only two suspects, while the remaining five are still left to wander freely.
