Kerala driver sets fire to himself after losing job

A private school bus driver in Thiruvananthapuram committed suicide by setting himself ablaze after the school sacked him. He is said to have written letters addressed to the Chief Minister and top officials before taking his life.

Thiruvananthapuram: A bus driver with a private school in Sreekaryam Idavakkonam in Thiruvananthapuram, committed suicide by setting himself ablaze after he lost his job on Monday.

Sreekumar, a native of Maruthur in Vattappara, set himself on fire while sitting inside an autorickshaw in the school premises.

He was a driver with Chembaka school here.

The school had fired Sreekumar from his job. Even though he had reached the school this morning to join duty, he was not allowed to. Following this, Sreekumar went and sat inside an autorickshaw that was parked near the school, poured petrol on himself and the auto and immolated himself.

He had written letters addressed to the Chief Minister, to the Collector and the Police and entrusted it with a fellow colleague before taking his own life.

The Fire and Rescue Personnel reached and doused the fire. However, by then, Sreekumar had died.

Former employees with the School accused the School authorities of the unfortunate incident.

As many as 86 employees were fired by the School management during the COVID lockdown period. The School has been trying to replace the fired employees with new candidates, the former employees alleged. “We will fight this move by the school”, they said.

The former employees have gathered at the school and have been protesting against the school.

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