Man attempts suicide over IMC ‘apathy’ at public hearing

INDORE: A man attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on himself at weekly public hearing of Indore of municipal corporation (IMC) on Tuesday, alleging that no action was initiated against his neighbour, who has made illegal construction on a common space in Janata Quarter area.
Manoj Maru, who had wrapped his body with the flag of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reached IMC headquarters along with a bottle of kerosene oil in his hands.He was allowed to meet additional commissioner Santosh Tagore to air his grievance.
Narrating his ordeal, Maru told the additional commissioner that he was trying to meet senior IMC officials for past three weeks, but in vain. He complained that his neighbour has illegally occupied a space of common use.
“I had complained about the matter with IMC officials, but, no action has been taken till now,” said Maru.
Listening to his woes, Tagore asked Maru to wait for few more days citing non-availability of anti-encroachment squad as reason behind delay in the action.
On this, Maru accused Tagore of giving ‘faulty reasons’ to avoid action against the encroacher. He also levelled allegation of corruption on IMC building officer Kailash Choudhary for showing apathy over his complaint, which is pending for last one year.
In between Maru poured kerosene on himself. Startled by his action, security guards snatched the bottle from him. They took him to MG Road police station.
“A case under section 151 of CrPC was registered against Maru. He was presented before the court of SDM Ajit Shrivastava before being sent to the jail,” said MG Road police station in-charge Anil Yadav.
Meanwhile, shopkeepers and residents of Apollo Tower on MG Road also reached the public hearing with their complaint against encroachments in the building.
“The society has developed shops at the corridor and open space that meant to evacuate the people in case of fire. In last five years, over 10 incidents of fire have been reported in the building. Besides, all the lifts have gone out of order, but the society is not paying any heed,” alleged Neelam Chawala.
To this, Tagore assured the complainants to take appropriate action in the matter after inspection. The weekly public hearing recorded 72 complaints. Tagore instructed the officials concerned for timely disposal greivances.