KENDRAPARA: A man attempted self-immolation in front of the Collectorate here on Tuesday alleging harassment by police.
The injured, Niranjan Singh (45) of Samagudia village on the outskirts of Kendrapara town, was admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.
The incident took place around 10 am when most of the Collectorate staff had gone to attend a meeting called by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Mahakalpada.
Singh doused himself with kerosene before setting on fire. A couple of persons present at Collectorate tried to save Singh who suffered 70 per cent burns.
Ranjita Singh, wife of Niranjan said, “Police arrested my husband in a land dispute case with an ulterior motive. Some persons illegally acquired our Indira Awas House in the village last month for which we filed an FIR against them in the police station. Instead of arresting them, police arrested my husband.”
“My husband and I have been running from pillar to post to get justice from the district administration. On Monday, we submitted a petition to the Collector in his grievance cell. But, the authorities did not pay any heed to us for which my husband tried to immolate himself,” she added.
Collector Debendra Kumar Das said, “The district administration will bear all the medical expenses of Niranjan in Cuttack. We are investigating the reason behind his self- immolation attempt.”