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Family plea after mutilation murder
24 Nov 2009- No movement in independence talks
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The family of a young mother left mutilated and dying in the street have spoken of how they are living in a "nightmare".
Geeta Aulakh, 28, was found with fatal head injuries by passers-by in Greenford, west London, one week ago.
She had been attacked with a sword-like weapon as she walked to pick up her two sons from their childminder, with one of her hands completely severed.
Family members appealed for anyone who helped her as she lay dying but left before paramedics arrived to contact police.
Her sister Anita Shinh, of Southall, said they are struggling to come to terms with the brutal murder.
She said: "It feels like we are living in a nightmare and we expect to wake up every day. It's just a bad nightmare. We cannot believe this has happened in our community to one of our own family. Our only thought now is the children. We just want to be strong for the children."
Miss Shinh was joined by her father Lakhwinder Singh Shinh and mother Nardesh Kumari Shinh for the appeal.
Miss Aulakh was attacked in Braund Avenue, at its junction with Verulam Road. Investigators said she was struck repeatedly and her right hand was cut off as she tried to protect herself.
Twelve men have been arrested and questioned over the murder and 11 released on bail, including her estranged husband Harpreet. Family members have said Miss Aulakh, who worked as a receptionist at a community radio station, had been threatened in the months before her death.
Sher Singh, 18, of Southall, appeared at Ealing Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with murder and was remanded in custody.
