Dalit woman brutally murdered while resisting daughter’s gunpoint abduction; RAF deployed

Tension gripped a village in Meerut district after a 50-year-old Dalit woman was brutally murdered and her 20-year-old daughter allegedly abducted at gunpoint on Thursday morning, triggering security concerns and a wave of political reactions.

The incident took place around 8 am in Kapsad village, under the Sardhana police station area, when Sunita, the wife of Satendra Jatav, was walking towards her agricultural fields with her daughter.

Police said that near a newly constructed canal bridge, two local men—Paras Som and Sunil Som—along with three to four unidentified accomplices intercepted them.

According to investigators, the accused forcibly abducted the daughter at gunpoint. When Sunita resisted and tried to save her, she was repeatedly attacked on the head with a sharp-edged weapon. She was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The assailants fled the spot with the abducted woman.

By Friday, the crime had sparked fear and anger in the village. Anticipating unrest, the administration sealed all entry routes to Kapsad and deployed a company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with additional police personnel.

Senior district officials, including the district magistrate, deputy inspector general, and senior superintendent of police, reached the village and held discussions with the victim’s family.

The family initially refused to perform the last rites, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and safe recovery of the abducted woman. After prolonged negotiations, the administration announced ₹10 lakh as immediate financial assistance and assured that efforts were underway to trace the missing woman within 48 hours.

DIG Meerut Vipin Tada said that ten police teams, supervised by two senior officers, have been formed to conduct raids and track down the accused.

He added that cases have been registered under stringent sections of law and several relatives of the accused have been taken into custody for questioning. However, both the accused and the abducted woman remain untraceable so far.

The incident also drew sharp political responses. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced financial assistance for the family, while BSP supremo Mayawati termed the crime “extremely painful and shameful,” urging strict action and greater focus on women’s safety.

Leaders from the ruling BJP also visited the village, assuring swift justice and support for the victim’s family. BJP leader Sangeet Som yesterday said," We stand by the family. This is a condemnable incident. We will ensure that the culprit gets punished."

As night fell, Kapsad remained tense, with police maintaining a tight vigil while residents waited anxiously for justice and answers.