Farmer attempts self-immolation outside SDM's office in Meerut, sustains 70 per cent burn injuries

Meerut: A sensational incident surfaced from UP’s Meerut, where a 53-year-old farmer attempted self-immolation in front of the office of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Mawana on Friday. The farmer sustained 70 per cent burn injury during the incident and has been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, the district magistrate (DM) has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter that is to be completed within two days.

The farmer has been identified as Jagbeer, a resident of Alipur Morna village. The incident took place in Mawana on Friday afternoon.

Confirming the incident, District Magistrate Deepak Meena said that the incident was linked to Thursday's removal of encroachment by the forest department along with the revenue department in the area.

After the drive, the farmer claimed that he was wrongly removed from the land and tried to immolate himself to mark his protest. Meena said, "I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. The inquiry will be conducted by Additional District Magistrate Amit Kumar and Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Bahadur. The officers will submit the findings in a report within 48 hours."

On the other hand, Range Officer of the forest department, Ravikant Chaudhary said that the allegations levelled by the farmer were wrong, reported news agency PTI. Chaudhary said the farmer had been illegally occupying this land for the past few years. The land was cleared of encroachment during a drive undertaken by the forest department.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has hit out at the BJP government in the state over the incident. He said, "What could be more unfortunate than a farmer, who is considered the backbone of the country's economy, being forced to set himself on fire to save his land."