Auto driver attempts self-immolation against Lankan President visit

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsT Vijayaraj, a twenty-six-year-old auto driver, is battling for life with 90 per cent burns after he attempted self-immolation on Monday against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s visit to India.Hailing from a family of Eelam Tamil sympathisers and followers of Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, led by Kolathur Mani, Vijayaraj is an active supporter of the movement against Rajapakse’s visit to Madhya Pradesh on September 21.Vijayaraj used to drive a share auto on the Salem Old Bus Stand-Kondalampatti route. At 4.50 am on Monday, he came to Bose Grounds (near Salem Old Bus Stand) with a can of fuel, which police claimed was diesel, from his house at Nethimedu. Raising slogans that Rajapakse should not visit India, Vijayaraj doused himself with the fuel and set himself on fire.People in a nearby shop rushed to his help and doused the flames. Later, they informed police and the ambulance service and he was admitted to the Salem GH. Doctors said his condition was critical as he had sustained 90 per cent burns. Police then informed the court following which, First Judicial Magistrate Rafi came to the intensive care ward and recorded his statement. Based on his statement, police recovered his diary in which he had entered his musings on the Lankan Tamil issue. He had also recorded his feelings during meetings with leaders such as Vaiko, Seeman and others, who support the Lankan Tamil cause. Apologising for his decision, he said at least after his self-immolation, people of Tamil Nadu would become sensitive to the issue and stand united to prevent the visit of Rajapakse. first published:September 18, 2012, 08:38 ISTlast updated:September 18, 2012, 08:38 IST
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T Vijayaraj, a twenty-six-year-old auto driver, is battling for life with 90 per cent burns after he attempted self-immolation on Monday against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s visit to India.

Hailing from a family of Eelam Tamil sympathisers and followers of Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, led by Kolathur Mani, Vijayaraj is an active supporter of the movement against Rajapakse’s visit to Madhya Pradesh on September 21.

Vijayaraj used to drive a share auto on the Salem Old Bus Stand-Kondalampatti route. At 4.50 am on Monday, he came to Bose Grounds (near Salem Old Bus Stand) with a can of fuel, which police claimed was diesel, from his house at Nethimedu. Raising slogans that Rajapakse should not visit India, Vijayaraj doused himself with the fuel and set himself on fire.

People in a nearby shop rushed to his help and doused the flames. Later, they informed police and the ambulance service and he was admitted to the Salem GH. Doctors said his condition was critical as he had sustained 90 per cent burns. Police then informed the court following which, First Judicial Magistrate Rafi came to the intensive care ward and recorded his statement. Based on his statement, police recovered his diary in which he had entered his musings on the Lankan Tamil issue. He had also recorded his feelings during meetings with leaders such as Vaiko, Seeman and others, who support the Lankan Tamil cause. Apologising for his decision, he said at least after his self-immolation, people of Tamil Nadu would become sensitive to the issue and stand united to prevent the visit of Rajapakse.