Jammu, September 22: Tension gripped Sai Sardari village in the Arnia area of R.S. Pura sector after a 40-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her residence, prompting strong protests by her parental family and villagers.
The deceased has been identified as Sushma Devi, a mother of two minor children. She was reportedly found hanging inside her room on Monday. Following the incident, her parents and local residents alleged foul play and accused her husband and in-laws of involvement in her death.
Amid anger and protest, the woman’s last rites were performed on the lawn of her house instead of at the cremation ground. Officials said the cremation at the residence was carried out as part of the protest by agitated villagers, who demanded strict action and justice in the case.
Superintendent of Police, Headquarters, Anna Sinha, said three persons have been arrested in connection with the suspicious death. Police have not yet disclosed the identity of the arrested persons. She said the police acted swiftly and made the arrests within an hour of the matter coming to notice.
A six-member medical board has conducted the postmortem examination of the deceased. Police said the exact cause of death will be known only after the postmortem report is received. The statements of the arrested persons are being recorded, and further investigation is underway as per law.
Officials said tension had escalated on Monday when agitated people attempted to ransack the house. However, heavy police deployment in the area prevented the situation from going out of control and maintained law and order.
SP Anna Sinha assured that the investigation would be conducted strictly in accordance with law and said no one found involved would be spared. She also appealed to women facing harassment at their marital homes to approach police without fear and register a formal complaint.
She urged women in distress or emergency situations to dial 112, stating that such calls are recorded at the police control room and immediately forwarded to the nearest police station. An emergency response vehicle can then be dispatched for timely help.
The incident has triggered grief and anger in the area, with locals demanding a fair, transparent and speedy investigation into the circumstances leading to Sushma Devi’s death.