But even more disquieting is the news that the killers are perceived to be moving freely after committing the crime that has brought forth an avalanche of condemnation from all quarters. The prime minister herself told a four-party alliance meeting that the assailants would be brought to justice, regardless of their political identity. That brought some relief to those who are yet to recover from the great shock. The telephonic threats do indicate that the suspected killers are in circulation; they have not even bothered to go into hiding. So, what are the law enforcers doing? It is not clear why they can't track down the men who have not only committed one of the most dastardly crimes in recent memory, but also have the temerity to intimidate the family members of the victim in such a blatant fashion.

It is not hard to guess how helpless the family members could feel about it when they are still trying to overcome the grief and trauma. But their ordeal has been made unbearable by the killers resorting to intimidation.

The government must direct the law enforcers to ferret out the criminals and take legal action against them at the soonest in order to remove any possible misgiving that they could be enjoying some kind of immunity from any quarter. The real extent of the danger that the family members are exposed to should also be gauged with a protective umbrella cast over them.

The complaints lodged by the victim's family should be treated with utmost seriousness and every attempt to derail investigations thwarted. Let's draw the prime minister's attention to the imperative need for a follow-up on her earlier directive to bring the culprits to justice without any mercy whatsoever.