Man 'kills' 3 female relatives in village in Pithoragarh

PITHORAGARH: A 40-year-old man allegedly killed his aunt, cousin and sister-in-law at Bursum village of Gangolihat sub-division in Pithoragarh district on Friday morning. The accused, identified as Santosh Kumar, and his wife are on the run, said police.
Santosh lived close to the house of his cousin Prakesh Ram (42), and both were part of a local dance troupe that performed the Chhalia, a traditional folk dance from the region.
"The two parted ways following a quarrel and joined different troupes. But later, they sorted out their differences," said Mohan Chandra Joshi, circle officer, Pithoragarh. On Friday morning, Santosh entered Prakesh's house, when the latter was away for a wedding function. Santosh was carrying a long knife and hacked to death Prakesh's mother Hamanti Devi (65), his wife Rama Devi (26) and sister Maya devi (20). Maya was married and lived in Duni village and had come to visit her mother, Joshi added. Villagers said that Santosh lived with his mother and four children, and was a drunkard.
He always quarrelled with his mother and wife, Joshi said. Police said investigation is on to find out the motive of the crime.
The village comes under revenue police, and an FIR in the case has been lodged under IPC sections 302 and 452, said Joshi. Regular police also reached the spot as the case will be transferred to them, the CO said.