[Reader-list] Man who attempted self-immolation in Jammu dies

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

Man who attempted self-immolation dies

Agencies


*Jammu, September 24:  *A man, who allegedly tried to immolate himself
protesting against government's decision not to allow a function to pay
tributes to the victims of the Amarnath agitation, has died, official
sources said on Wednesday.

Jaswant Singh, a 35 year-old vegetable seller, succumbed to his injuries at
the PGI, Chandigarh, where he was admitted after he tried to immolate
himself on Monday last.

Singh sprinkled kerosene oil on his body and set himself ablaze at his shop
in the presence of dozens of people while chanting "bum bum bholay" in
Gagwal village of Kathua district.

By the time people tried to douse the flames, Singh had fallen on the ground
and was immediately rushed to government medical college hospital with 70 to
80 per cent burn injuries. Later, he was referred to PGI, Chandigarh.

The function was to be organised on September 20 by Shri Amarnath Yatra
Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), that spearheaded the two-month long agitation but
after the activist reached the venue they were told that the booking had
been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the SAYSS condoled the demise of Singh and announced a
compensation of Rs four lakh to his family along with 11 others who died
during two-month long agitation in Jammu, he said.

Singh's cremation will take place at his native village on Wednesday
evening.

* editor at expressindia.com*