21-year-old man sets himself ablaze, sustains 80% burn injuries; investigation underway

Berhampur: Coinciding with the World Suicide Prevention Day, a 21-year-old man attempted self-immolation sustaining 80% burn injuries near Mentu Chowk under Bada Bazar police station limits here late on Wednesday evening.The victim, Suraj Sahu, was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital by his parents after locals informed them. After preliminary treatment, he was referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, but his parents took him to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where he is undergoing treatment in a critical condition, police said, adding that he is unconscious.While the exact cause of his self-immolation is yet to be determined, police suspect his father’s opposition to his love affair might have led to the incident.

Although no case has been registered so far, an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause, said SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M.Police sources said the victim, a school dropout and his father, Laba Sahu, were running a small hotel near Talamentu Chhaka. After shutting the hotel around 8 pm, his father returned home while Suraj stayed back to dispose of garbage. Later, Suraj allegedly poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze.

Earlier on Wednesday, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to the public, especially the youth, not to take extreme steps. “On this occasion, I would like to appeal to everyone, especially youths that ‘the life given by God is priceless. There is no such problem in life for which there is no solution. The government is always by your side to solve all the small and big problems you are facing,” he said.