Bathinda: Hundreds of people gathered at the grain market in Mehal Kalan village on Barnala-Ludhiana road Wednesday to mark the 29th death anniversary of a 17-year-old girl who was gang-raped and killed, with a pledge to continue fighting against crimes against woman.The Class XII student and daughter of a disabled teacher was abducted on July 29, 1997, while cycling home from school. Four men, two locals and two domestic workers, gang-raped and murdered her before dumping her body in a field pit, where it was recovered 13 days later on Aug 12.Massive outrage following the crime led to the prosecution of the accused, who served life sentence despite their family’s local influence, according to locals.“She has become a symbol of resistance against the subjugation of women,” said Narain Dutt and Kanwaljit Khanna, members of a local anti-rape action committee. “We want to send a clear message that anyone who abuses women will face severe consequences, regardless of their influence,” they added.Farmer leader and committee member Manjit Singh Dhaner said, “This fight is not about one individual. It will continue until brutal crimes against women are checked and perpetrators are held accountable.”
