THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: '' Pappa poured petrol on his body not to commit suicide, but to hold the police officers who did not listen that a stay order will be obtained within half an hour. Amma and Pappa didn't think it would catch fire. They can't commit suicide, they were killed by the police '' - said Rahul and Ranjith, the sons of Rajan and Ambili who were burnt to death during the police eviction at Nettathottam Lakshamveed Colony in Neyyattinkara Pongil.

The police only heard the words of Vasantha, the neighbour. Rajan told the police, who arrived at around 2 pm on the 22nd, that the High Court would consider the case soon and would issue a stay within half an hour. Grade SI Anil Kumar was not ready to listen to that. With the aim of postponing the proceedings for half an hour in the hope that the court would consider the case, Rajan said he would get out after having food. As he went into the house he was grabbed by the shirt and thrown out by the police. By then, Rahul, the eldest son, who was going to work in a workshop, also came home. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone. Meanwhile, to repel the police, Rajan poured petrol which he had bought to fuel his bike, on his body. He also held a cigarette lighter in his hand. Rahul and Ranjith said that when the lighter accidentally caught fire, Papa got scared and suddenly lowered the lighter on the floor and put out the fire. Meanwhile, the SI tried to enter the house. Rajan said he would set fire to the house. Police hit Papa on his hand when he had put his finger to light the lighter. The lighter then struck the father's body. The police did not listen to us. If they had waited for half an hour, my father and mother would not have died ..." the younger Ranjith's eyes were filled with tears as he said this. Rahul didn't utter anything with his head bowed down.