Pro-Telangana student dies after self-immolation attempt

HYDERABAD - A 19-year-old pro-Telangana activist, who attempted self-immolation at the Osmania University campus on Saturday, died of burns early on Sunday.

Siripur Yadaiaiah, who suffered nearly 80 percent burns, died at the Apollo Hospital, police said.

Protests continued at the Osmania University campus despite heavy police presence.

Earlier, Yadaiah, a resident of neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, set himself ablaze near Café Coffee Day near the NCC gate on the Western side of the Osmania University. Then he rushed towards the policemen present at the gate.

Alarmed policemen doused the fire and shifted him to the hospital in an ambulance.

Later, at the Apollo Hospital, he succumbed to the burns. Fearing a backlash from the student community, the Andhra Pradesh police got the body shifted to his native place early this morning.

City police commissioner A K Khan said Yadaiah’s post mortem was conducted and the body taken to his village.

Yadaiah, a class 12th student, was identified with help of some certificates found in his bag along with a suicide note.

“People like me will get jobs if Telangana state is formed. I am giving life for Telangana and please don’t stop this movement till Telangana is achieved,” the note said.

Meanwhile, protests have been continuing in the city. At least 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across the city to keep the situation under check. Security has specifically been tightened at Osmania University. (ANI)