Woman sets herself on fire near Punjab CM''s residence

Amit Sharma/TNS                      
Chandigarh, December 12

CHANDIGARH : A Gurdaspur resident, Gurpreet Kaur, allegedly attempted suicide by setting herself on fire at a ground about 50 metres away from Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s official residence in Chandigarh on Friday.

In her mid-thirties, the victim suffered burns on her legs and right arm.

The incident occurred at 8.50 am at the ground opposite the Chief Minister’s residence.

The security personnel stationed outside Badal’s residence called up the police control room, following which the victim was rushed to the Government Hospital in Sector 16.

The police said the woman holds a diploma in a computer course, and had set herself ablaze because she was unemployed. Further investigations in the matter are on, they added.

It is alleged that the victim had been trying to meet the Chief Minister for the last few days, but was being continuously turned away by the security staff.

Following the self-immolation attempt, Congress legislature party leader Sunil Jakhar demanded the resignation of CM Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. He said the SAD government had failed to address people's issues, especially unemployment.

Meanwhile, the Punjab CM described the incident as "awful" and said the job criteria for various posts in government departments is fixed and could not be changed.