AP: Suicide politics back on the boil

WARANGAL/MAHBUBAGAR: Close on the heels of MBA student Bhojya Naik’s suicide on Saturday, another person took his life at Hanamkonda in Warangal district on Monday reportedly frustrated over the delay in the formation separate Telangana state.The victim, S Rajamouli (40), who is an autorickshaw driver, committed suicide by setting himself ablaze.He was rushed to the hospital, but declared brought dead by the doctors.According to police and the eyewitnesses, Rajamouli left his house in the morning and went to the public garden near the superintendent of police office where he poured petrol and set himself ablaze.He is learnt to have shouted ‘Jai Telangana’ slogans and collapsed.A native of Thimmampalli village in Jafferghad mandal, Rajamouli was running an autorickshaw in Warangal for the last eight years.He was a resident of Kasibugga and survived by wife and two children.It is learnt that the police seized his vehicle recently for violating norms and he has been idle for the last couple of days.He was reportedly moved by Bhojya Naik’s suicide.“Since Saturday, he kept watching news channels.He was dejected over the delay in the formation of separate Telangana state,” said Lalitha, wife of Rajamouli She said Rajamouli participated actively in the Telangana movement along with fellow auto-drivers.The victim’s son Saratchandra is learnt to have lodged a complaint with the police holding Congress leaders responsible for the death of his father.Meanwhile, tension prevailed during the funeral procession of Rajamouli in Kasibugga area.Telangana activists hurled footwear and stones at the statues of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi during the funeral procession.They also tried to attack the residence of minister Basvaraju Saraiah at Pochamma grounds.Police used mild force and dispersed the mob.Earlier, TRS activists staged a dharna in front of the SP’s office alleging that police were trying to mislead public by reporting that Rajamouli committed suicide due to personal problems.However, they were pacified when police assured that a case will be filed after investigation.Later, Rajamouli was cremated at the graveyard at Kasibugga.In a similar incident, A Balaraju Goud (32), who runs a tea shop at Vanaparthy in Mahbubnagar district, attempted suicide by pouring petrol on himself after learning about the suicide of Rajamouli.However, people foiled his attempt and handed him over to the police.He reportedly attempted suicide out of frustration over Telangana issue.