Stubble burning deaths: Kin refuse to cremate bodies

The deadlock between the district administration and the family of victims, who were charred to death in a stubble- burning incident, continued on Thursday with the latter refusing to cremate the bodies.

The deadlock between the district administration and the family of victims, who were charred to death in a stubble- burning incident, continued on Thursday with the latter refusing to cremate the bodies.

Sohan Singh, 50, and his son Gurpreet Singh,22, both residents of Bhangchari village in Muktsar had succumbed to burn injuries on Tuesday. (Representative image)

Sohan Singh, 50, and his son Gurpreet Singh,22, both residents of Bhangchari village in Muktsar had succumbed to burn injuries on Tuesday.

The aggrieved family, accompanied by Punjab Khet Majdoor Union members, are demanding a compensation of Rs 6 lakh. The district administration, however, says as per the rules, the compensation can’t exceed Rs two lakh.

Union’s state general secretary Lachman Sewewala said the deceased will be cremated only after the compensation sought by the family is provided to it.

“The family is entitled to get compensation of Rs 6 lakh as promised by government in such fatal farm incidents but the district administration has been denying the ex gratia”, he alleged. The father-son duo along with another labourer was working in a field when one Iqbal Singh set afire the stubble.

Police had initially booked Iqbal and his two sons under section 304A (death due to negligence). However, after protest by family members and union members, police added section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the case.

“The required changes are made in the FIR after carrying out detailed investigation. We are recording fresh statements of victims’ families”, said deputy superintendent of police Mukhwinder Vir.