A grim situation unfolded in Jwalamukhi located in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, as a peaceful funeral descended into chaos and violence. The final rites of Nitika Chaudhary, wife of Bhati Bohan panchayat pradhan Kapil Dev, were disrupted when clashes erupted right at the cremation ground. While the funeral pyre was actively burning, a violent confrontation broke out involving stone-pelting and the use of sticks, leaving multiple individuals injured and creating a scene of absolute panic.
Dowry Demands and Family Tensions
The core catalyst for the massive uproar appeared to stem from grievances held by the deceased woman's maternal family. According to details emerging from the ground, the maternal relatives asserted that they wanted all the dowry items and ornaments given during the wedding returned to them immediately. Witnesses noted that a large group of women and other relatives from the maternal side suddenly marched into the cremation grounds while the last rites were underway, sparking an intense confrontation. Conversely, the marital family maintained that Nitika had been suffering from a prolonged illness prior to her demise.
Police Forced to Take Cover Amid Stone-Pelting
Anticipating potential friction during the final rites, law enforcement authorities had already deployed police personnel at the cremation site. However, the intensity of the stone-pelting caught the officers off guard, forcing them to duck for cover and scatter in different directions to protect themselves. A significant number of people sustained injuries in the melee. Police officers struggled for a considerable duration to separate the warring factions and eventually restored order through sustained intervention. Amidst the chaos, angry members of the gathering also raised slogans against local MLA Sanjay Ratan, fueled by allegations that they were denied a final glimpse of their daughter's face.
The sequence of events leading up to the tragedy began when Nitika was hospitalized on November 2. She passed away during the course of her medical treatment. The marriage between Nitika and panchayat pradhan Kapil Dev had taken place roughly two years prior. Upon learning of her sudden death, maternal relatives rushed to the scene, triggering heated arguments with the in-laws. The maternal family raised serious suspicions regarding the circumstances of her death and demanded an impartial inquiry into the matter.
Post-Mortem and Ongoing Police Investigation
The friction between the two families had kept the atmosphere tense for three to four hours on Wednesday as well. Following the completion of the autopsy, police handed over the body to the relatives on Thursday, November 5. ASP Navdeep Singh of Dehra police district confirmed the incident, stating that the police are thoroughly investigating every single aspect and angle connected to the case to ascertain the exact sequence of events.
