Son watches as mother forced to burn self

TIRUCHY: In a gruesome incident of dowry harassment in the city, an agricultural worker forced his wife Buvaneswari (30) to immolate herself in front of her seven-year-old son. The incident came to light when the child accompanied by his grandparents, submitted a petition to the Collector seeking police action against his father Kamala Hassan, resident of Gandhi Nagar in Ramji Nagar. His mother had separated from her husband unable to bear the demands for dowry from her husband and his family. S Sababathi, the woman’s father, told the Collector that his daughter was forced to set herself ablaze on March 1. Her husband allegedly threatened to burn her child alive, if she refused.The dejected Buvaneswari left her in-laws house a few months ago. However, Kamal Hassan used to visit her and quarrel. Buvaneswari lodged a complaint with the All Women Police Station I Tiruverumbur who later settled the dispute by asking Kamal Hassan to provide  Rs 3 lakh to her as compensation before May 31, this year. However, on the evening of March 1, a group led by Kamal Hassan entered her house, assaulted her and forced her to commit suicide, Lakshmi alleged.