Images of Saddam's hanging 'influences' Gujarat girl to hang self

Bharuch, Jan 3 (UNI) A teenaged girl in a village of Bharuch district hanged herself to death, allegedly ''influenced'' by the repeated telecast of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's execution shown on various news channels on Saturday.

The girl, Prateeksha Patel (15), of Dhanturiya village in Ankleswaria taluka, was deeply affected by the hanging scenes, and took the extreme step on Monday night, family sources said.

Viren Ghadiyali, Principal of her school said, ''Pratiksha was studying in Class IX. She had repeatedly asked her father regarding the scenes of execution, about how hanging was carried out, whether it caused pain etc.'' On wednesday evening, Prateeksha locked herself in a room, after she was scolded by her brother for not studying and hanged herself, family sources said.

Her father Mohanbhai Patel, who works with United Phosphorus Limited, has not yet lodged a police complaint. Ankleswar (rural) police inspector M M Vasani said he will conduct an inquiry into the incident tomorrow.

UNI