Magerial Probe into Siyaram Patel’s Death Begins

Raipur Collector appoints Additional Drict Magrate NR Sahu as the investigating officer.Directed to submit report 24th March. Report to include statements of 17 eye witnesses.

Raipur: A Magerial inquiry into the death of Siyaram Patel- the 68-year-old farmer from Raipur who died while protesting on March 11th began on Wednesday. The Collector Saurabh Kumar has designated Additional Drict Magrate NR Sahu as the investigating officer. Reportedly, the statement of 17 eye-witnesses would be sought until 24th March.
Siyaram Patel was declared dead on arrival at Balco Trauma centre after he collapsed while protesting in Naya Raipur area. According to sources, he was amongst those hundreds of farmers who were protesting for the past two months over the illicit acquisition of land Raipur Authorities. The farmers in exchange for land demanded compensation and rehabilitation the state govt on their lands taken over the govt. CM Baghel also announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
After multiple rounds of failed talks with the government, the protesting farmers had set up a base outside the Naya Raipur Development Authority office. The protesting farmers, however, were not allowed to approach the office after section 144 was imposed in the area on Thursday.
A protesting farmer interacting with the media present while the incident occurred held the govt responsible for the death. He said, “ this is not a natural death, but death negligence due to the govt. We are demanding what they promised us in exchange for our lands.”