Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chaos prevailed at the district collectorate after a man torched his SUV during the public hearing on Tuesday and tried to immolate self.
The man and his family members had visited collectorate with a complaint regarding a property dispute. They claimed that no action was taken on their repeated complaints.
The fire was doused by the fire fighters and policemen. Barkehda Nathu residents Shakkarbai, her sons Hotam Singh, Rai Singh and daughters Chandabai, Sheelabai reached the collectorate with a complaint regarding grabbing of their property. They claimed that they were also being threatened by the opponents.
While officials were at the public hearing, Hotam Singh poured petrol on a Tata Sumo in which they arrived and set it on fire. The man then climbed on top of the vehicle in a bid to immolate self. Policemen on duty at the collectorate immediately rescued the man who received minor burns in the fire. The fire was doused after a 20-minute exercise. The SUV was loaded with hay and had a board of an organisation.
District panchayat CEO Rituraj Singh, ADM Siddarth Jain and SDM Vinod Sonakia who were at the public hearing also rushed to the spot. Koh-e-Fiza police reached the spot and took Hotam Singh and his kin into custody for questioning.
District collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh said the family had made a complaint regarding a dispute over 13 acres of land with one Shailendra Patel.
The ADJ court has given a decision against them following which the family have approached the High Court. The land is still in the possession of Shakkarbai and her family. The family will be given protection and all legal help will be provided to them, according to collector.
