NSUI neta immolates self in Ramnagar over SHO's transfer

HALDWANI/RAMNAGAR: Rohit Pandey, a 23-year-old student leader, set himself on fire in a bid to press authorities to remove the station house officer of Ramnagar. He was rescued, but sustained 65% burn injuries and was referred to Delhi for treatment.

Pandey, a student of the final year of MCom, and a leader of the National Students' Union of India, set himself afire atop a water tank. The NSUI had been demanding the removal of RK Farsvaan, SHO of Ramnagar police station.

On Monday, NSUI leaders had allegedly torched motorcycles belonging to members of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad when the students' union polls were underway at Pyarelal Nandkishore Galwaliye Govt PG College.

ABVP leaders lodged a police complaint, naming Pandey and other NSUI members.

NSUI members in turn launched protests, claiming the police action was unjustified. They also demanded that SHO Farsvaan be withdrawn from his post.

To press the NSUI's demands, Pandey on Tuesday climbed atop a water tank in Ramnagar's Lakhanpur area. Issuing a deadline, he threatened to set himself on fire if the SHO was not removed by 5pm. His warning went unheeded, and he drenched himself in kerosene and used a cigarette lighter to set fire.

Firefighters present at the spot managed to rescue him and rush him to a local government hospital. He was later referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

A case has been registered against four persons including a local leader with regard to Pandey's action. The accused have been charged with attempt to murder, instigating suicide and attempt to suicide. A notice has also been served to the Jal Sansthan.

"Both police and administration were not paying attention to our requests to inquire into the matter. We were not involved in any violence. The case registered against Rohit and others was baseless," said Deep Gunwant, a local youth Congress leader.

"Asking for the SHO's removal is totally unfair. We tried to convince them but they were stubborn," said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named.

R S Meena, additional director general of Uttarakhand police visited Ramnagar on Wednesday and issued instructions to maintain a strict vigil to prevent further trouble. Shops in the area downed shutters.

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