Jaisalmer: The house of a 22-year-old man accused of eloping with a minor girl was allegedly vandalised and set on fire by members of the girl’s family in Chhayan village near Ramdevra in Jaisalmer district Tuesday.According to the police, the village panchayat had called for a meeting between both families earlier in the day to resolve tensions over the elopement. However, the man’s father did not turn up, following which around 25 people from the girl’s family and community allegedly entered the man’s house, vandalised the property inside, and set it on fire. The water tank in front of the house was also broken. No injuries were reported, as the family was away in the fields at the time. Ramdevra police station officer Khetaram, along with other officials, reached the spot after being informed about the incident. The fire brigade also arrived and brought the fire under control.The man’s father said that he did not participate in the panchayat meeting out of fear, and alleged that due to enmity people had set his house on fire. He said that his son was already in judicial custody for eloping with a minor girl.Khetaram said that the girl’s family filed a case under POCSO on Dec 17, stating that a boy from the village eloped with their minor girl. He said the girl returned home the same evening, while the youth remained absconding for three days before being arrested. The girl is currently with her family.A case has been registered in connection with the incident at Ramdevra police station on the complaint of the man’s father, and police have been deployed in the village.Following this, the man’s family reached Pokhran and submitted a memorandum to ASP Praveen Kumar, demanding action against all those involved in the arson and compensation for their losses.
