A National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) activist of Chhattisgarh Rajesh Tiwari, who attempted self-immolation at Bilha in Bilashpur district, nearly 150 km from here, a couple of days ago to protes
A National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) activist of Chhattisgarh Rajesh Tiwari, who attempted self-immolation at Bilha in Bilashpur district, nearly 150 km from here, a couple of days ago to protest alleged harassment to him by the local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), succumbed to burns here late Tuesday night. The deceased poured fuel on him and then set him on fire in front of SDM office at Bilha on Monday when he was denied bail in a case pertaining to violation of prohibitory order clamped in the locality during an agitation by his party a few days ago. He was later rushed to the government hospital in Raipur with 80 per cent burn injuries. The incident sparked an outrage among Congressmen here. The Congress workers led by MLA Amit Jogi staged a road block at Bilha demanding the arrest of SDM Arjun Singh Sisodia.
Later, chief minister Raman Singh ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. Sisodia has been placed under suspension.
“Deputy collector of Bilashpur district will probe the incident and submit a report in a fortnight”, an official spokesman here said.
