The 32–year–old resident of Mahadev Jawain village, 70 kmfromAllahabad,allegedly immolated himself Monday night. He tested positive for HIV – he contracted the infection in Mumbai, where he worked in factory – in August 2009 at Allahabad’s SRN Hospital, his brother said.
After the news that he was HIV infected spread, he became an outcast in his village. Even his friends and relatives kept away.
“His brother used to provide him food during his stay in the village. Since August 2009, after he returned from Mumbai, he remained in the village. Wherever he went, he was met with scorn.
Gradually he confined himself in a room of the house,” said villager Raj Kumar. On Monday, he poured set himself ablaze and died.
AIDS Control Society’s District Incharge Dr SAM Meesum said he would send an official to the village on Thursday “to verify the allegations of discrimination he met with and whether he was HIV positive or not” while Koraon Police has begun investigation.
Disclaimer: The news story on this page is the copyright of the cited publication. This has been reproduced here for visitors to review, comment on and discuss. This is in keeping with the principle of ‘Fair dealing’ or ‘Fair use’. Visitors may click on the publication name, in the news story, to visit the original article as it appears on the publication’s website.
Source: Indian Express
