Jaipur, Jan 19 (IANS) Depressed over frequent domestic fights over her husband’s drinking habits, a woman in Rajasthan set herself and her two small children on fire, police said Thursday.
The children are aged three and two years.
The three are undergoing treatment at a government hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.
The woman identified as Kalpana Singh, 28, is a resident of Balaji Nagar in Baran district, some 300 km from Jaipur. She had doused herself and her two children with kerosene and set themselves on fire.
“Kalpana’s husband Bhanwar Singh was out of the house on Wednesday night. He claims his wife and kids were alone in the house,” a police officer told the media.
The neighbours told the police that Kalpana and Bhanwar used to quarrel frequently. “Bhanwar is unemployed and an alcoholic, the neighbours said. The couple had strained relations due to this,” a police officer told IANS.
The neighbours informed the police when they saw smoke coming out of a room in their house.
By the time police arrived at the spot, the neighbours doused the fire. “The woman and two children were rushed to a hospital in Kota where they are undergoing treatment. Their condition is critical,” said the officer.