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A mother and her daughter were killed in a fire during an anti-encroachment drive; the family seeks $5 million in compensation
Uttar Pradesh minister of state for women and child development, Pratibha Shukla on February 14 said that Chief minister Yogi Aditynath had promised action against anyone found guilty in a case related to the deaths of two persons in an anti-encroachment drive in Kanpur district.
Earlier on February 13, a fire broke out during an anti-encroachment drive, in which a mother-daughter duo succumbed to their injuries. The drive was conducted against one Krishna Gopal Dixit of Madauli village in Kanpur (rural).
The deceased have been identified as Pramila (44) and her daughter Neha (21), both of whom died on the spot.
The family members have alleged that the authorities carrying out the anti-encroachment drive conspired with local goons to burn the house they were trying to demolish.
Reacting to the unfortunate death, Shukla, who is also the MLA from Akbarpur-Raniya legislative constituency, said, “It is unfortunate that such an incident happened in my Legislative Assembly constituency.”
The MoS for Women and Child Development, Shukla, said that UP CM Yogi Adityanath is monitoring the situation.
“The Chief Minister himself is taking cognizance of this matter. He has assured that strict action will be taken after the whole matter is investigated. Justice will be done, no matter how big the officer is, he will not be spared,” she added.
On Monday, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Maitha, Dnyaneshwar Prasad, along with police and revenue personnel, reached the village to remove the encroachment. It was alleged that the team started breaking the taps and temple with a JCB bulldozer, which the family was protesting.
Meanwhile, the mother and daughter went inside the house to stop the demolition, thinking that the authorities wouldn’t destroy the house with people inside.
“The team that went to remove the encroachment dropped the thatch with the JCB. The thatch caught fire and it increased further. Pramila and her daughter Neha were burnt to death on the spot. While Krishna Gopal got seriously scorched,” a family member said.
An FIR has been registered, and a case has been filed against SDM Maitha, Dnyaneshwar Prasad, station in-charge Rura, Dinesh Kumar Gautam, three other lekhpals, Ashok Dixit, Anil Dixit, Nirmal Dixit, Vishal, the JCB driver, and 12 unknown people under IPC sections 302, 307, 436, 429, 323 and 34.
The victim’s family also wrote a letter to the commissioner of police demanding ₹5 crore in compensation, housing for both sons, government jobs, a life pension and a meeting with Chief Minister Yogi for immediate justice.
SDM Maitha has been removed from duty with immediate effect and the search for the other accused has started.
Senior officers, including ADG Kanpur Zone, Alok Singh, and Divisional Commissioner, Kanpur, Dr Rajshekhar, reached the spot along with the police force and started investigating the incident.
ADG Alok Singh said, “Strict action will be taken against whoever is guilty. Spot inspection is being done and action will be taken based on whatever facts come out.”
