12 handicapped vendors attempt suicide, three dead

Varanasi, July 31 (UNI) Three of the 12 street-side physically- challenged vendors, who attempted suicide by consuming poisonous substance in the Gurubag area here today, have died.

Radhey alias Rajesh Maurya (32) died at the district hospital this afternoon, while Tribhuwan Dutt Mishra (45) and Gurudev (26) died at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) hospital in the evening, official sources said.

Three of the remaining nine vendors -- all undergoing treatment at the BHU hospital -- who attempted suicide against the Varanasi Nagar Nigam's anti-encroachment drive were stated to be in critical condition, BHU hospital sources said.

''Investigations are on to ascertain which poisnous substance was actually consumed by the group of physically-challenged vendors, even when the district administration had on July 28 last assured them of preparing a rehabilitation plan in the event of removal of their shops under the anti-encroachment drive of the Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN),'' Ms Meena added.

''A magisterial probe headed by ADM (City) Indra Vikram Singh has been ordered to look into the matter,'' she informed.

Earlier, in the day 12 physically challenged vendors -- Gurudev, Nasim, Ram Chand, Tribhuwan, Namo Upadhayay, Khalil-ur-Rehman, Bharat, Ramesh, Mangroo, Mohsin, Satish and Radhey alias Rajesh Kumar Maurya -- attempted suicide by consuming the poisnous substance in the Gurubag area under Luxa police station.

After coming to know about the incident, Police Superintendent (City) Arun Pandey rushed to the spot and lugged the vendors in unconscious state to the district hospital, where during the course of treatment Radhey died.

MORE UNI