Contractor Mohammad Rafiq sets fire to 12 huts with families inside in Gujarat over unpaid wages
- In Reports
- 02:54 PM, Mar 19, 2024
- Myind Staff
Reports from Anjar, located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, indicate that contractor Mohammad Rafiq allegedly set fire to 12 huts belonging to daily wage labourers and their families. The incident occurred in Mochi Bazar near Khatri Chowk in Anjar. The accused purportedly committed the act after the workers demanded payment for previous work before agreeing to further employment.
Mohammad Rafiq absconded from the scene but was subsequently apprehended by the police. Authorities have registered a case against him under multiple sections of the IPC following a complaint lodged by the affected workers.
The affected labourers are employed on a daily wage basis. Mohammad Rafiq, the accused, is a contractor who had hired these labourers for work. Upon completion of their tasks, Rafiq failed to provide the agreed-upon wages to the workers.
Instead, he only gave them Rs 100 each. When the labourers expressed their refusal to continue working for him under such conditions, Mohammad Rafiq threatened to set fire to their huts with them inside.
According to reports from Gujarati media, a brief altercation occurred on Saturday evening regarding pending dues. In the early hours of the following morning, Mohammad Rafiq arrived at the huts where the labourers resided.
At that time, women, children, and elderly individuals were sleeping inside these dwellings. Rafiq poured inflammable petroleum liquid on the huts and set them ablaze before fleeing from the scene.
After the huts were set ablaze, occupants managed to evacuate before contacting municipal authorities and the fire brigade. Unfortunately, the huts were completely destroyed before help arrived, but no casualties were reported. The accused, Mohammad Rafiq, fled the scene. Police were alerted and a complaint was lodged by Badrilal Gangaram Yadav, aged 46, and other affected labourers.
Anjar’s police inspector SD Sisodia said, “Different teams were sent to nab the accused. Meanwhile, when the accused reached near the railway station, he was arrested. At present, the police have registered a complaint under sections including attempt to murder and further investigation is underway.”
Family members of the victims revealed that they are daily wage labourers. Rafiq exploited them by paying only Rs 100 instead of their agreed wages and issuing threats. Frustrated, the workers refused to work for him. Now, they are homeless after Rafiq burned their huts.
Image source: OpIndia
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