Two more persons self immolated themselves in two separate incidents in Tamil Nadu over the plight of Tamils in war-torn Sri Lanka.
On Monday, March 23, Marimuthu from Sivakasi and Balasundaram PuthuKottai died when they set themselves ablaze protesting the inaction of Central and state governments in relation to the Eelam Tamils.
Marimuthu (60), a former Congress activist, set himself ablaze at Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district and police said it recovered a letter in which he had urged Congress President Sonia Gandhi to intervene and stop the ethnic war.
Marimuthu, in the letter, said: "Neither the Tamil Nadu Government nor Centre are serious about ending the conflict in the island nation."
Before setting himself ablaze after pouring kerosene over his body, Marimuthu hoisted the Congress flag in front of his house, according to Police.
In the second incident, Balasundaram, a cook from Sri Lanka living in India since 1972, immolated himself at Alangudi in neighbouring Puthukottai district, upset over the situation in Sri Lanka.
A member of DMDK, headed by actor Vijaykanth, he expressed anger over Congress "not taking any steps to protect Lankan Tamils," police, quoting the initial report said.
After a heated debate with his friends, he returned to his house late last night and immolated himself. Attempts by his neighbours to save him proved futile, police said. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
At least 11 persons have so far committed self immolation in different districts of the state in the past few months, calling for action on the Eelam Tamils issue.
