Kolkata:
The death of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand has left her friends and acquaintances in shock. Vivek Negi, a school friend of Ankita, told DailyExpertNews today: “Ankita was excited about her future, her career and she wanted to support her family.”
Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at a resort owned by BJP leader Vinod Arya’s son, Pulkit Arya in Rishikesh, was murdered. Pulkit had reported her missing on Monday, along with her family, but police later said she had been killed by Pulkit and two of his associates. All three have been arrested.
“Ankita came from a very poor family and at school she always said that after completing grade 12, she should support her family,” said Vivek.
He added: “We are from the hilly areas of Pauri. People from this area often go looking for work, but they are usually very simple in nature. Ankita was also a simple girl who was not talkative. She was very focused on her work. and the desire to assist her family.”
People from Pauri, the teenager’s hometown, flocked to the funeral in their hundreds. “How are we ever going to work outside with these kinds of incidents?” said a woman.
Some women were seen crying with anger. “They killed a woman who wanted to earn a decent living,” said one woman, before collapsing.
Many gathered for the funeral shouted slogans against the police and the government. Some of the women said they would sit until the killers were hanged.