‘Mentally Unstable’ Woman sets herself afire along with 9-month-old daughter

Baripada:  A woman allegedly set herself and her 9-month old daughter on fire in Jayabila village under Sadar police limits of Baripada. Though they were rushed to the Hospital, they succumbed to the burn injuries there.

The woman identified as Thakur Mani Singh, a resident of Telibila village under Baripada sadar police limits, was at her relative's place yesterday when the incident took place.

Soon after the incident, a few locals admitted Mani and her daughter to the Baripada hospital where the baby was declared brought dead by the doctors. The woman died in the wee hours today, doctors said.

As per latest reports, though police have reached the spot and initiated an investigation, it has still not been ascertained whether it is a case of murder or suicide.

On the other hand, the husband of the deceased woman, Sunaram Singh, has claimed that his wife was mentally unstable. "She was mentally unstable and set herself and the baby on fire after pouring kerosene," Sunaram said.

Inspector -in-charge of Baripada Sadar police station, Swarnalata Minz said, "We received information from the medical. While the baby was brought dead the hospital, the woman succumbed to her injuries in the wee hours today. Further investigation is on."