Murder amid protest: 2 farmers accused of burning a villager alive amid farmers’ protest

The so-called farmers’ protests are fast becoming a hub of criminal activities. After allegations of gang rape, a 42-year-old man has now succumbed to injuries due to burns near the Tikri protest site with the victim’s family alleging that he was set on fire by his fellow protesters who were drinking together.

In yet another example of how dangerous the Rakesh Tikait-led and Opposition backed farmers’ protests are turning out to be, a 42-year-old man from Jhajjar in Haryana succumbed to his burn injuries near the protest site at the Tikri border with Delhi.

The victim – Mukesh’s kin are alleging that four men, who were a part of the agitation, had set him on fire. Inspector Jaibhagwan, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector 6, said, “We have arrested one of the accused, Krishan, who hails from Jind and had been mentioned by name in the FIR. He was participating in the farmers’ protest at the Tikri border.”

He added, “Investigations have revealed that the victim and the accused were drinking liquor together on Wednesday evening when they got into an argument that escalated into a fight. It was during the fight that the accused set fire to the victim. Efforts are on to arrest the other people involved in the crime. Further investigations are being conducted.”

Mukesh’s brother Madan Lal, who had filed the complaint with the SHO of Sector 6, alleged that his brother had gone to “roam” outside around 5 pm and reached the protest site. He stated, “I got to know that the four protesters sprinkled oil on my brother with the intention of killing him, and set him on fire.”

The Sarpanch of Lal’s village, Toni Kumar said, “I saw that Mukesh had been completely burnt. We called an ambulance and accompanied him to the Civil Hospital. In the ambulance, he told us that he had been drinking with four other men who told him they were part of the farmers’ movement. He said he was sitting there when they sprinkled either kerosene or diesel on him and set him on fire using a matchstick before fleeing the spot. Passersby doused the flames and alerted Madan.”

He added, “As far as we know, Mukesh had not met these people before. We do not know why they did this. He said they told him they were farmers, but we do not think farmers will do such a thing, these are anti-social elements. He was the only earning member of his family, how will his wife and child manage? The government must give them compensation.”

Expectedly, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, who is spearheading the farmers’ protests, denied the allegations and instead claimed that Mukesh’s death was a “suicide… spurred by a conflict in his family”. The group claimed that the allegations are a “part of the continuous efforts to defame and slander the ongoing farmers’ movement”.

The group in a statement said, “Yesterday night, a person was seen around the HP petrol pump. Soon he poured petrol and set himself on fire. As soon as the Kisan Morcha volunteers noticed it, they rushed in to douse fire and save his life. They learnt that this attempted suicide was spurred by a conflict in his family. An employee from the petrol pump identified Mukesh and informed his family who took him to hospital. It is shocking that the farmers who tried their best to save an unknown person are now being implicated in attempt to murder.”

Read More: ‘We thought they were journalists,’ Rakesh Tikait defends drunk farm law protesters who attacked Policemen

Recently, BJP’s Priti Gandhi shared a video where she alleged that at the protest site, prostitution rackets are being run.

What’s happening in the name of the farmers’ protest is shameful and now the Central government has enough ammunition to justify the removal of the protesters.