Self-immolation bid at CPI-M headquarters in Kolkata

A middle-aged man attempts self-immolation during an all-party meeting on a controversial chemical hub in West Bengal.

A middle-aged man created a stir at the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) headquarters on the Alimuddin Street in Kolkata on Monday evening by attempting self-immolation during an all-party meeting on a controversial chemical hub in West Bengal.

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Security personnel rushed in and foiled the immolation bid.

The police said Debabrata Choudhury, 42, entered the party office by identifying himself as the brother of a legislator. He went straight to the toilet and emptied a can of kerosene on himself. Choudhury then came out of the toilet and tried to light a matchstick when security men overpowered him.

The police detained him for questioning and started an inquiry. The police said they suspected he was suffering from mental illness.