Odisha: Man Sets Own House Ablaze, Attempts Suicide Later

Angul: A mentally unstable man of Rangamatia village under Chendipada police limits in Angul set his own house ablaze and then attempted suicide by slitting his throat with a sharp weapon Thursday morning.

The bizarre incident took place at around 8 AM this morning. Over reasons unknown, Khakan Behera who reportedly has a history of mental illness set his house on fire and later took a knife and slit his throat.

Receiving information, a fire brigade team from Chhendipada rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames. Behera, on the other hand, has been admitted to Chhendipada community health centre for necessary treatment and his condition is stated to be out of danger now.

A case has been registered in this regard and further investigation into the incident is in progress, police said.

Following a preliminary investigation, police informed that Behera stays alone and it could be due to the mental instability that he took such a drastic step.

A few days ago, a woman in Rengaguda village under Koshagumuda block of Nabarangpur district threatened to commit suicide after a baby boy she reportedly found abandoned on farmland was taken from her. The woman Sunatai Harijan had found the baby lying abandoned on a field while she was out to relieve herself. She brought the baby to her home and decided to adopt him as her son. However, the District Child Safety Officer recovered the baby from her and admitted him to the SNCU of the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Nabarangpur leaving her heartbroken.