Berhampur, Sep 11: In a deeply disturbing incident, a young man from Berhampur, Odisha, attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on himself and setting his body ablaze at Mentu Chhak around 10:30 pm on Wednesday night.

The youth, identified as Suraj Sahoo, sustained severe burn injuries and is currently battling for life.

Eyewitnesses rushed to douse the flames and called emergency services. Suraj was initially admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, but due to the critical nature of his injuries, he was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.

Prior to the incident, Suraj reportedly shared a cryptic message on his Instagram account stating, “If something happens to me, no one is responsible.” He also posted a reel around 9 pm that contained emotionally distressing content, hinting at his mental turmoil.

Local police, under Bada Bazaar jurisdiction, have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances that led to this extreme step.

The incident coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, adding a tragic irony to the timing. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier appealed to the youth of the state to seek help and value life, announcing the launch of the “Jeevan Zindabad” campaign to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.