TN sees 18th suicide after Jaya verdict

AIADMK man consumes poison; cop tries to kill self

Driven by their fanaticism, at least 18 people have committed suicide in Tamil Nadu since former chief minister J Jayalalitha was sentenced to four years in prison in a disproportionate assets case.

The eighteenth suicide in the state was of a 34-year-old die-hard AIADMK cadre who consumed poison at his Coimbatore residence early on Tuesday.

The deceased, who died on the way to the hospital, has been identified as C Rajini. Police said the victim had kept a picture of Jayalalitha on his chest before his suicide bid.
A 42-year-old police constable K Velmurugan tried to kill himself by immolation on Tuesday morning. Police officials, however, managed to save him by rushing him to hospital and admitting him.

Sources said Velmurugan, who is attached to the Odaipatti police station, was depressed because of Jayalalitha’s imprisonment in Bangalore and had come to the DGP office in Chennai wearing his uniform.

 Soon after entering the complex, he doused himself in kerosene that he brought in a bag and tried to set himself ablaze after shouting “Amma”. He was questioned by Mylapore police personnel after he was discharged from the hospital. Velmurugan, who is the first policeman in the state to attempt suicide over such an issue, is a fan of sports and had received several prizes from Jayalalitha in the recent past.

According to police, the common suicide methods are consuming poison, immolation, hanging or jumping in front of speeding vehicles.

Over 50 people across the state have attempted self-immolation so far, but police were able to rescue most of them.
DH News Service