1,200 stubble burning locations on Diwali: Delhi Minister Mishra alleges conspiracy against farmers, against Delhi and Punjab

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Monday alleged a conspiracy behind a sharp increase in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab on Diwali, claiming that satellite data showed a nearly tenfold rise in the number of locations reporting fires on November 8 compared with November 7.

Speaking to the media, Mishra said the Delhi government began receiving calls from farmers in Punjab on the evening of Diwali, alleging that their fields were being set on fire by unidentified people while they were celebrating the festival at home.

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Stubble burning in Punjab and adjoining areas has long been a concern as the national capital reels under the effect of air pollution. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a total of 4,459 incidents of stubble burning have been recorded in Punjab as of November 8.

"We started getting calls from Punjab farmers last evening that fire is being set in the fields at night, and when farmers are celebrating Diwali at their homes, their fields are being set ablaze by people who are then fleeing," he said.

He said the government subsequently sought satellite data on stubble burning available with the Centre to verify the allegations. According to the minister, the data showed that stubble burning was reported at 125 locations on November 7, while the figure rose to 1,200 locations on November 8, the day of Diwali.

"How did it increase 10 times? This is a really serious matter. This is a conspiracy against farmers, against Diwali, against Delhi, against Punjab," he alleged.

Mishra also questioned who was responsible for setting the fields on fire and accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of orchestrating the incidents to ensure that smoke reached Delhi on November 8 and 9.

He appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to register FIRs at all locations where stubble burning was reported on Diwali night and order an investigation into the incidents.

The Delhi minister also called for an investigation into AAP MLAs and leaders in the affected areas, as well as party members who had travelled from Delhi to Punjab. He demanded that their phone records be examined.

"Check their phone records. They have orchestrated this fire. If the truth comes out perhaps Kejriwal himself will end up behind bars," Mishra alleged.

He further claimed that a campaign had been underway since the previous evening, two days ahead of Diwali, to create a particular sentiment around the festival, alleging that those behind the campaign knew about the fires in Punjab. Mishra also alleged that the incidents were part of an attempt to ensure that smoke from Punjab reached Delhi on November 8 and 9.