A youth in Salem attempted suicide by immolating himself early Monday to protest Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s visit to Madhya Pradesh.
Around 4.30 am, Vijayaraj (26), an auto driver from Kamaraj Colony, poured kerosene and set fire to himself near Salem old bus stand raising slogans against Mr Rajapakse, PM Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Before committing the act, he distributed pamphlets and a diary containing his message to the leaders. The youth, who suffered 90 per cent burns, was immediately rushed to the Salem government hospital where his condition is reported to be critical.
The police said Vijayaraj was the fourth son of Thangavelu (60), an auto driver, and Perumayee (50), and lived with his parents as he was single. His parents had no clue that he was going to attempt the immolation. “He is also a CITU union member and claimed to be a member of the MDMK,” said the police. “He has been an open supporter of the Tamil Eelam cause and attending several meetings for the cause.” Later during the day, Salem first judicial court magistrate Rafi visited the burns ward and took his declaration.
Protests were staged in several parts of Salem by political outfits like the VCK, MDMK and Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam who wanted the Centre to stop Mr Rajapaksa’s visit or witness more such incidents.
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Montek, Azad sort out row
Age Correspondent
New Delhi, Sept. 17
The war between the Union health ministry and the Planning Commission (PC) over the proposed allocation for the 12th Five Year Plan seems to have sorted over.
Sources in the ministry told that in an hour-long meeting on Monday between deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, “majority of the issues were resolved. Both the sides were seen happy after the meeting,” sources said.
Experts in the commission said that the issue of allocation has been sorted out and the commission will have no problem if the ministry makes internal allocations as per its priorities.
“Sanitation and drinking water are the preventive way of health management so our argument is that allocation to these two should go from the health ministry,” a official said.