DNA; DV Maheshwari; Friday, February 25, 2011,
The Kutch district Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of shielding revenue and police officials whose inaction led to the self-immolation of Rapar farmer Jabbardan Gadhavi on Monday.
The party took out a rally in Bhuj in this connection. The BJP however accused the Congress of politicizing the matter.
Congress leaders and workers stormed the main building of the district collectorate demanding immediate arrest of the accused. They also raised anti-Modi slogans before submitting a memorandum to the additional collector Gunwant Vaghela.
“Our demand is justified since the police have registered offences against the accused officials under section 306 of the IPC. If they are not arrested, the party will intensify the agitation as this matter involves a loss of life," Adam Chaki, state vice-president of the Congress told DNA after the rally.
Chaki accused the administration of trying to save officials involved in the case.He asked how could a woman talati disappear with records of entire land in Dawari village and still remain untraceable. Criticising the Congress BJP district president and Abadasa MLA Jayanti Bhanushali said the government has taken immediate action against those responsible for the incident.
Bahnushali said he had contacted chief minister Narendra Modi and state home minister Praful Patel after the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Jabbardan had set himself ablaze on the premises of the Rapar mamlatdar office after he allegedly failed to get information regarding his land under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. His land was sold off by someone without his knowledge.
The revenue and police officials were reportedly present at the place when Jabbardan set himself on fire but they allegedly made no move to stop him or douse the fire.
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