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Punjab probe over child murders Punjab probe over child murders
(1 day later)
Police in India are investigating the murders of four children, whose bodies were found at an abandoned rice mill in the northern state of Punjab.Police in India are investigating the murders of four children, whose bodies were found at an abandoned rice mill in the northern state of Punjab.
The children, all under the age of 13, were reported missing in November and have been identified by their parents.The children, all under the age of 13, were reported missing in November and have been identified by their parents.
Police said the hands and legs of the victims were tied and there were burn marks on the bodies.Police said the hands and legs of the victims were tied and there were burn marks on the bodies.
The discovery comes amid shock over the gruesome killings of 17 young women and children in a Delhi suburb.The discovery comes amid shock over the gruesome killings of 17 young women and children in a Delhi suburb.
The district authorities of Muktsar called me and told me that this incident had taken place - I have offered all possible help Politician Jagmeet Singh BrarThe district authorities of Muktsar called me and told me that this incident had taken place - I have offered all possible help Politician Jagmeet Singh Brar
The rice mill in Muktsar district is owned by a senior politician of Punjab's governing Congress party, Jagmeet Singh Brar, but police say there is no evidence to link the politician with the case.The rice mill in Muktsar district is owned by a senior politician of Punjab's governing Congress party, Jagmeet Singh Brar, but police say there is no evidence to link the politician with the case.
Police say it appears that an attempt was made to burn the four bodies. They have registered a case of murder and destruction of evidence.Police say it appears that an attempt was made to burn the four bodies. They have registered a case of murder and destruction of evidence.
Foul smellFoul smell
District police chief, G Nageshwar Rao, said the bodies were badly decomposed.District police chief, G Nageshwar Rao, said the bodies were badly decomposed.
The killings in Noida have caused immense angerThe killings in Noida have caused immense anger
Mr Rao said the parents had identified the bodies from the clothes of their children.Mr Rao said the parents had identified the bodies from the clothes of their children.
He said forensic teams from the state capital, Chandigarh, had also collected DNA samples from the bodies.He said forensic teams from the state capital, Chandigarh, had also collected DNA samples from the bodies.
The dead children were discovered late on Tuesday by local police. The foul smell emanating from the mill led them to the corpses, said Mr Rao.The dead children were discovered late on Tuesday by local police. The foul smell emanating from the mill led them to the corpses, said Mr Rao.
Police said the children - three boys and a girl - were reported missing from the area in November. They said their parents worked as migrant labourers on local farms.Police said the children - three boys and a girl - were reported missing from the area in November. They said their parents worked as migrant labourers on local farms.
Mr Rao said the police was trying to ascertain whether the children were sexually abused as some blood stains were found on the bodies.Mr Rao said the police was trying to ascertain whether the children were sexually abused as some blood stains were found on the bodies.
Speaking in Delhi, Mr Brar said he had asked police to investigate the deaths thoroughly. He said he had not visited the rice mill for the past five years.Speaking in Delhi, Mr Brar said he had asked police to investigate the deaths thoroughly. He said he had not visited the rice mill for the past five years.
"This mill belonged to me but since a very long time it has been locked," he told reporters."This mill belonged to me but since a very long time it has been locked," he told reporters.
"Yesterday, the district authorities of Muktsar called me and told me that this incident had taken place. I have offered all possible help from my side.""Yesterday, the district authorities of Muktsar called me and told me that this incident had taken place. I have offered all possible help from my side."
Abandoned Grief
The Punjab discovery comes just 10 days after the remains of 17 young women and children were fished out from a drain in Noida, a suburb of the capital, Delhi.The Punjab discovery comes just 10 days after the remains of 17 young women and children were fished out from a drain in Noida, a suburb of the capital, Delhi.
A local businessman and his servant have been arrested and are being held on suspicion of multiple abduction, rape and murder.A local businessman and his servant have been arrested and are being held on suspicion of multiple abduction, rape and murder.
The crime has shocked the country and caused immense grief and public anger in Noida, specially against the police.The crime has shocked the country and caused immense grief and public anger in Noida, specially against the police.
Furious residents say police failed to act over the abductions and murders because many of those reported missing came from impoverished families.Furious residents say police failed to act over the abductions and murders because many of those reported missing came from impoverished families.
The residents say that as many as 40 children have disappeared in the area over the past two years.The residents say that as many as 40 children have disappeared in the area over the past two years.