UP man attempts self-immolation outside DM office in Barabanki

A man attempted self-immolation outside the district magistrate’s office on Wednesday over delay in payment of money under a government housing scheme, officials said.

He said that Zubair, a resident of Deeh Ashokpur of Ramnagar police station area, tried to set himself on fire after meeting District Magistrate (DM) Satyendra Kumar on Wednesday.

Officials said Zubair met the DM regarding approval of the second installment for the construction of his house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He told that soon after coming out of the DM office, Zubair poured some flammable liquid on himself and set himself on fire. He told that the police personnel deployed there stopped him and extinguished the fire and took him to the hospital.

The DM said Zubair’s family members have alleged that the gram panchayat secretary had demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 for payment of the second instalment. “The said Panchayat Secretary has been suspended. We have assured the family of all possible assistance. “The second installment of money under the housing scheme will be released soon,” the official said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)