Jaipur, Oct 10 (UNI) The kin of priest Babu Lal Vaishnav, who was allegedly attacked by land encroachers in a village of Rajasthan and eventually succumbed to his injuries on October 8, refused to perform his last rites on Saturday, demanding arrest of the guilty and compensation from the government.

The family members also demanded action against Patwari and policemen, who allegedly helped the accused, apart from compensation of Rs 50 lakh and government job for a family member.

The incident happened on Wednesday at Bukna village in Sapotra of Karauli district, when a group of people allegedly set the hut of priest Babulal Vaishnav on fire, as the priest was preventing them from building a plot on the temple land.

He died at SMS Hospital in Jaipur on Thursday evening, due to the burn injuries received.

Main accused, identified as Kailash Meena, was arrested, while others were still at large.

The incident took a political turn, after former Rajasthan chief minister and National Vice President of BJP Vasundhara Raje hit out at the Congress government, alleging that the crime rate in the desert state had risen in the past two years. Children, women, traders, Dalits and elderly were not safe in the state, under the present circumstances, said Ms Raje.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to help solve the rising crime rates in Rajasthan, instead of going to different places on 'political tourism.'

Meanwhile, Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia announced the formation of a three-member fact-finding committee.

According to police, they have recorded the statement of the priest before his death and registered a case under relevant Sections of IPC.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the incident, stressing that there cannot be any tolerance for violence.

He extended his condolences to the kith and kin of the temple priest. Reiterating that the main accused in the case has been arrested, the Chief Minister promised that the guilty would not be spared.

UNI JW RJ 1728