Jodhpur: 27-year-old girl burnt alive after she protested cutting of trees

Jodhpur: A 27-year-old woman was allegedly set ablaze by a group of villagers led by the sarpanch after she objected to the widening of a road adjoining her agricultural field in Borunda near here.

The woman objected to felling of trees due to the widening of the road.

Police said the incident took place Saturday evening and the woman died at a hospital on Sunday, after which her brother filed a complaint with police against the sarpanch of the village and nine others. Her brother was also present at the incident spot.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Jodhpur Rural) Narpat Singh Rathore said the villagers told police that when the road widening work was going on, the woman appeared with a can of kerosene, spread it on herself and set herself ablaze.

"We are investigating the matter," he said.

On Saturday, the work on widening of the road in her area was taking place in the presence of officials and villagers.

She was rushed to a hospital from where she was referred to the government hospital in Jodhpur. She succumbed to her burn injuries in Jodhpur on Sunday.

"Considering the sensitivity of the matter, we have registered the complaint and have initiated an investigation," Rathore said.