Kalimpong 4th Aug

A 35-year-old Gorkhaland supporter who attempted self-immolation on July 30 succumbed to his injuries this evening, sparking fresh tensions on the first day of the indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in the hills.

Mangalsingh Rajput, who had set himself on fire in Kalimpong for the statehood cause, breathed his last today at a private hospital in Siliguri. His death has caused grief and resentment not only among his family members and the GJM ranks, but also among the general people in the Hills.

Rajput was a resident of Dr. Grahams Homes and is survived by his wife Manju Rajput and two sons, Arpan and Aman.

The GJM leaders and supporters gathered at Damber Chawk in Kalimpong, where Mangal Singh Rajput had set himself on fire, and staged protests against the state government.

GJM vice-president Binay Tamang said: "Rajput was declared dead at 6.30 pm today." Another senior Morcha leader from Kalimpong, Ramesh Alley, said, "We have been informed by the hospital that Rajput succumbed to his injuries. He was first admitted in a Kalimpong hospital with 60 per cent burns. He was moved to the Siliguri hospital later."