Asked bribe by VRO, duo sets self afire outside MLA office

Karimnagar: Two youths attempted self

immolation

at the office of TRS legislator R Balakishan at Manakonduru village in Karimnagar district on Sunday. The youths suffered severe burns and were treated at the Karimnagar government hospital and later shifted to Hyderabad for better medical care.

The police have identified the youths as Srinivas and Parasuram, native of Gudani village in Bejjanki mandal of Karimnagar district. They came to the office of the TRS legislator on Sunday and suddenly poured petrol over themselves. Even as people were watching, they set themselves on fire.

They had visited the office to lodge a complaint against the local village revenue officer, who had allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 from them to distribute land under the ‘Land for Dalits’ scheme. Unable to pay the

bribe

, the youths took the extreme step.

Minister Etala Rajender visited the hospital and enquired about their health. He said disciplinary action will be taken against the village revenue officer for demanding bribe. The incident led to tension in the district.

This is the second incident of self immolation in the state in the last fortnight. Earlier, a local TRS leader set himself on fire in the presence of minister Mahinder Reddy saying that he was being sidelined. The incident took place at Tandur in Vikarabad district.