Raipur, July 21

A 28-year-old unemployed youth tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire in front of Chief Minister Raman Singh’s official residence here on Thursday afternoon, police said.

“Yogesh Kumar Sahu, a resident of Urla area of Raipur, was admitted to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial hospital after he attempted suicide by immolating himself in front of the Chief Minister’s house in Civil Line area,” Raipur SP Sanjeev Shukla said.

As per preliminary reports, he sustained 25 per cent to 30 per cent burn injuries, but his condition is presently said to be stable, he said.

The incident took place after the Chief Minister held Jandarshan programme (public grievance redressal meet) at his official residence.

“After the programme, when people were coming out of the Chief Minister’s house around 1 pm, Sahu who was outside, suddenly poured kerosene and torched himself. However, security personnel immediately doused the fire and rushed him to the hospital,” Shukla said.

The motive behind Sahu’s suicide bid would be known only after recording of his statement, he said.

Noting that the financial condition of Sahu’s family was not good, another police officer said, “Sahu was probably disappointed over not getting a job. More details will be known after further investigation.”

Meanwhile, opposition Congress alleged that “anti-youth” policies of the Raman Singh government had led to the incident.

“Anti-youth policies of the Raman Singh-led government like outsourcing in local jobs are responsible for such incidents. We condemn this,” Congress state spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said. — PTI