Chennai: Police thwarted a self-immolation bid of a contractor who was allegedly conned by an AIADMK local functionary promising contracts from civic bodies, in Poes Garden, a high security zone.
The man identified as Ramasamy (60) of Tiruchy, demanded an audience with the Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa when he was told to petition the official concerned. Spurned, Ramasamy pulled out a bottle of kerosene and doused himself with it. He was rescued and sent off to Teynampet police station where he was given a hearing by policemen.
“It was during this, Ramasamy who is from Vaiyampatti near Tiruchy alleged he had given about '17 lakh over a year ago to the AIADMK functionary in exchange for award of contracts from local bodies. Ramasamy neither got the projects promised nor his money back and the functionary began ignoring him. He was upset since his complaint with local authorities did not elicit any response”, said a senior police officer. Police sent him back home after counseling him.
The suicide bid comes within hours after a mentally deranged man attempted to crash into Poes Garden late on Friday night. He was identified as Dinesh Babu, when his family was contacted. The family said he was under medication for the last four years. It may be recalled that on March 21 another man from Tiruchy attempted suicide citing discrepancies in the administration of the party at the local level.
