The Tribune, January 31, 2005

Ex-MC shot; bandh in Hansi
Tribune News Service

Hansi, January 30
A vegetable market commission agent (arhtiya) and local Congress leader, Prem Papneja, was shot dead by unidentified assailants here last night. A number of local residents staged a protest demonstration against the murder and blocked traffic on the Delhi-Hisar national highway immediately after the murder. All markets in the township remained closed in protest against the murder. The candidates for the assembly poll have condemned the incident and cancelled all engagements and poll meetings. Papneja had recently left the INLD and joined the Congress. He had been provided police security after he received several threats. However, the security was withdrawn a day before the incident. Papneja was returning to his house last night when he was attacked. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead by the doctors. Following this, the local residents went on the rampage. They blocked traffic and raised slogans against the administration and the state government.