Cauvery row: Youth immolates self over govt’s ‘inaction’

A 25-year-old man immolated himself in Tamil Nadu's Erode district on Thursday, allegedly over the Central and state governments' "inaction" on the Cauvery issue and Prime Minister's visit to Chennai, police said.

Dharmalingam succumbed to the severe burn injuries at the Erode Government Hospital where he was admitted with 90 per cent burn injuries, police and doctors said. Police said the man was said to be in a disturbed state of mind for the past couple of days.

The man's self-immolation bid comes on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the state to formally inaugurate the country's mega defence exhibition, Defexpo, at Thiruvidanthai. As of now, three people have committed suicide over Cauvery issue.

"Cauvery water is the lifeline for the people of Tamil Nadu. Yet, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi have not take any action to form a Cauvery Management Board. Also, I oppose Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu," reads a message on the wall of his house.

The state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, voluntary organisations and student groups since April 1, seeking setting up of a Cauvery Management Board. On April 4, an autorickshaw driver committed suicide by consuming rat poison. The very next day, a 42-year-old Selvam, a DMK supporter, jumped from a speeding bus raising slogans against the centre and he died three days later in the hospital.