Farmer sets himself ablaze in Maharashtra's Beed district

AURANGABAD: A 49-year-old farmer set himself ablaze at the minor irrigation office at Barshi road of Beed district after his plea to remeasure the land acquired by the government was ignored by the authorities.
According to sources, the farmer has been identified as Arjun Salunkhe and he has sustained around 90% burns. Some people present at the office tried to douse the flames, but failed.
Police said they now are checking reports that few days ago the farmer had issued a written letter to the irrigation department, threatening to self-immolate if his plea was not considered.
Superintendent of police R Raja said, “We have taken the incident on record and a probe has been initiated. Initially, the injured farmer was rushed to civil hospital, but due to the nature of burns, he has been taken to Aurangabad for further treatment.”
Sources said Salunke’s inherited land was acquired by the irrigation department in 1962. He reportedly had objections over the size of land acquired from his farm as well as the granted compensation. He wanted the authorities to measure the acquired land as he feared that excess land had been taken by the government.