Howrah: Factory owner commits suicide

Kolkata: An aged factory owner succumbed to burn injuries after he set himself on fire following a threat allegedly by a group of members of a club in Howrah. Tapan Mondal (65), the deceased, was a resident of Ichhapur of Kamardanga.

A plot of land in front of his factory was covered with large heaps of earth as a local club, Balak Sangha, wanted to develop the ground for sports purposes. Mondal did not object then as five trucks were initially planned to dump the earth at the plot.

His family members however alleged that 18 trucks were used to ferry the earth which created a blockade to Mondal’s factory leading to its closure in July after payment of bonus to ten workers.

On October 3, Mondal set himself on fire in front of his factory to commit suicide in protest after he some club members allegedly threatened him for complaining to councillor of ward no 49 Subrata Polley.

He was admitted to Howrah district hospital. He breathed his last on Saturday. Mondal’s daughter Antara claimed that the club members earlier assured that a roller would be used to make the earth even on the plot but nothing happened even after two and half months.