Avinash’s family blamed the neighbours, who were watching the kabaddi match and were a witness to the murder, as an unsympathetic lot deserting the family when they needed them the most.
“No one came forward to help us take him to the hospital. They were all scared for their own safety,” said the victim’s father Dayaram.
And that indeed was the case when The Hindu spoke to residents who live around the park and allegedly were witness to the game, the argument and the murder.
Each one of the many available for a comment said that the gunshot was “only heard” and they had not seen anyone, Dayaram questioned the authenticity of the response.
Someone was cooking, someone was out on work and a plethora of similar claims, but not one admitting to be present or watching the kabaddi match going on in the noisy park which is in visible range from their houses.
The park where Avinash was playing a kabaddi match and was shot at is surrounded by houses from all the four sides and the match itself enjoyed a good spectator turnout courtesy all the residents who had gathered around the park or were watching it from their balcony. Yet, when he was shot at and lying injured, they instantly went indoors, not one among the spectators or Avinash’s friends or teammates staying back to check on him, claimed the family. They also blamed the police of inaction saying the spot of crime is only 10 metres away from the police post which is always empty and unguarded. Any footfall by cops is only to consume liquor Dayaram went on to allege and was seconded by other neighbours too.