Kanpur Man Self-Immolates After Neighbor Dispute, Alleges Police Inaction
In a distressing incident in Kanpur, a man set himself on fire on Saturday following a protracted dispute with a neighbor and accusations of police inaction. The victim, identified as Kala alias Rahul, a resident of the Kalyanpur police station area, was admitted to Ursula Hospital with serious burn injuries by his family members.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict reportedly began about three weeks ago, on January 11, when Rahul objected to his neighbor, Shubham Katiyar, about the loud noise from a bullet motorcycle. This led to a violent altercation where Shubham, along with family members and associates, allegedly assaulted Rahul's brother, Abhishek Dixit. When their mother, Geeta Devi, intervened to stop the fight, she was also attacked and had to be hospitalized for several days.
Following the assault, a video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting police to register a report against nine named individuals, including Shubham, and 19 unknown persons. However, the victim's family claimed that even after 25 days, the police failed to take effective action against the accused. They alleged that while they demanded action under serious sections, the police only pursued charges related to breach of peace.
Escalation and Self-Immolation
According to police reports, on Saturday, Rahul had another dispute with Shubham. After Shubham informed the authorities, Dial 112 personnel arrived at the scene, questioned Rahul, and then departed. Shortly after they left, Rahul set himself on fire in a desperate act of protest.
Rahul's brother, Abhishek Dixit, further alleged harassment by the police, adding to the family's grievances. The incident has highlighted concerns over police responsiveness and handling of neighborhood conflicts in the area.
Police Response and Investigation
DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi addressed the situation, stating that Rahul had an ongoing dispute with his neighbor and had filed a report against him a few days prior. He mentioned that a chargesheet was filed against the named accused on February 3, the then outpost in-charge was suspended, and the investigation was transferred to another officer.
Regarding Saturday's incident, DCP Abidi confirmed that there was another dispute between the parties but denied allegations of police misconduct. He stated, "The claim of being hurt by police working style or setting fire during arrest is wrong." The police are continuing their investigation into the matter to ensure justice is served.
This tragic event underscores the need for timely and effective intervention in local disputes to prevent such extreme outcomes. The community and authorities are urged to address grievances promptly to avoid further escalation.
