Thane (Maharashtra): An activist of Maharastra Navnirman Sena (MNS) committed suicide in Maharastra's Thane district today morning. The party claims that the young party activist was agitated with the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) notice to MNS Chief Raj Thackeray.
The incident happened a day after Thackeray issued a personal appeal to all his supporters and activists to maintain 'calm' at all costs as he was prepared to honour the ED summons on August 22.
The deceased, Pravin Chougule set himself in fire and suffered more than 70 per cent burns and succumbed to his injuries before he was admitted to a hospital in Kalwe town. He was an active worker and was always seen at the forefront of any party activities or agitations.
According to a party official, Chougule was in a disturbed state of mind since the past three days after the ED slapped notices summoning Thackeray and his business partners in an IL&FS case.
"Chougule mentioned to us how he apprehended Thackeray could be jailed in the matter, but we counselled him that the senior leadership would handle the issue. However, early today, he suddenly set himself on fire and was declared dead on admission to the hospital," said his confidant.
Besides Thackeray, his partner Unmesh Joshi, the son of senior Shiv Sena leader and ex-Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, has also been summoned and grilled since last two days.
Also Read:Raj Thackeray appeals MNS workers not to gather outside ED office on Aug 22
