Kolkata: A youth, who reportedly did not get a job in the railways as promised to him by some Trinamool Congress leaders, set himself on fire outside Railway Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee's residence in Kolkata on Sunday. He has been admitted to a hospital with 90 per cent burns, police said.
"Prasun Dutta, a resident of Bansberia in Hooghly district, had come near the railway minister's residence on Harish Chatterjee Street in Kalighat. Suddenly, he set himself on fire and then jumped into the Tollygunge canal that runs past the house," city police's Deputy Commissioner (South) Supratim Sarkar said.
"Locals rushed to his rescue and immediately shifted him to MR Bangur hospital with 90 per cent burn injuries," said Sarkar.
Family members of the youth claimed that he was assured a railway job by some Trinamool Congress leaders, but they did not keep their promise.
However, the opposition party denied their claims. The police also did not confirm the cause.
Prasun's family later admitted him to a private nursing home.
According to eyewitnesses, Prasun came to Mamata Banerjee's house claiming to be a Trinamool Congress supporter and sought an appointment with her.
All off a sudden, he poured petrol on his body and set himself on fire. Immediately thereafter, he jumped in the Tollygunge canal.
The victim's elder brother Proloy Dutta said: "Prasun was promised employment by some Trinamool Congress leaders of Hooghly. After he realised that they had made false promises, he came to meet Banerjee to plead for a job."
Joint Commissioner (Headquarters) Jawed Shamim said the police were investigating the case.
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