N.K. Rajesh, an autorickshaw driver, who was admitted to the Kozhikode medical college hospital following a self-immolation attempt succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The 42-year-old, hailing from Elathur, reportedly attempted suicide on September 15 following a quarrel with local Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) members over his attempt to conduct service in Elathur.
Statement
Some of them had allegedly tried to manhandle him. The CITU workers were arrested on the basis of a statement given by the victim in hospital. He had also given a statement before a magistrate.
According to the Elathur police, CITU workers had prevented Rajesh, who was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), from operating his newly purchased vehicle from the Elathur autorickshaw stand. When he defied the CITU members, his family received death threats, the police said.
Case had been registered against 10 persons for their involvement in the incident. Search had been intensified for the other seven who absconded after the driver’s death, they said.
BJP workers’ protest
Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a protest, carrying Rajesh’s body, near the Elathur police station alleging that the police investigation was a farce.
Autorickshaw drivers from various parts of the city too joined the protest seeking the arrest of all involved in the incident.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies may seek help and counselling by calling the Indian Medical Association’s Thanal, a Kozhikode-based centre, at 0495-2760000.)