ADG Kundan Krishnan apologises for linking criminal incidents with farmers

Additional Director General (ADG)- Headquarters— Kundan Krishnan on Saturday (July 19, 2205) apologised for his controversial remarks blaming farmers for the increase in the murder incident. His statement received criticism from both opposition as well the ruling party in Bihar.

On July 16, Mr. Krishnan, the 1994 batch Bihar cadre IPS officer stoked a controversy after he linked supari killings with the farmers. His statement had come in the backdrop of industrialist Gopal Khemka who was murdered after giving a contract of ₹4 lakh.

When a question was asked regarding the increase in murder cases, Mr. Krishan had said, “These days many murders have taken place and it happens in Bihar. This is a track record since many years and most of the murders happen in the month of April, May and June. This continues until the rains come as most farmers do not have any work. After the rains, the people of the farming community get busy and incidents reduce.”

In a brief video message posted on Bihar Police official ‘X’ handle Mr. Krishnan said that he had “great respect for those involved in farming” and blamed the controversy on “distorted” representation of his remarks.

Mr. Krishnan who is known for tough policing started the speech by greeting the farmer and said, “A portion of my statement at a recent press conference was reported in a distorted manner which led to start a controversy. I want to share my thoughts about it. I had never intended to say that farmers, the providers of our food (annadata) had anything to do with crime. In fact they have always been a part of respect and will remain so in future as well.”

He further said, “Even my ancestors have all been in the farming business and I maintain strong links with my roots, of which the farming community is a part. Behind every criminal incident, there are criminals who have no religion nor caste. I have great respect for farmers, Still, if my statement has hurt any sentiments, I tender an apology,” Mr. Krishnan said.

Mr. Krishnan is a native of Nalanda district and he was posted as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Patna when President’s rule was imposed in Bihar in 2005. He has served as SP in different districts of Bihar known for arresting strongman former MP Anand Mohan in 2006.

Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had strongly reacted to his statement saying, “If the ADG had told this earlier, people would have fled from Bihar to save their lives. If the police knew that murders increase in these months, they should have given an advance warning to the public. Is it the preparation of the police and will the crime season now be assessed based on the weather condition”’.

Even National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner Chirag Paswan on July 19 early morning took a dig at Mr. Krishnan saying, “The way criminal incidents have increased in recent times, the way a murder took place by entering Paras Hospital, cannot be justified..”

He further said, “The reality is that if even a single incident occurs, the administration must take responsibility. The ADG cannot under any circumstances say that such incidents happen before the rains. Is he making such an accusation against the farmers? The state government must ensure that the people of Bihar feel a sense of security.”