Mohali village tense after head priest's suicide

Mohali, (IANS) Security was strengthened outside a Jain temple in Punjab's Mohali district after its head priest committed suicide Thursday triggering tension in the area, police said.

The family members of the priest alleged foul play.

According to the police, 51-year-old Ajay Muni, head priest of the Jain temple in Pabhat village, set himself afire and was pronounced  dead at the hospital.

"There is tension in the area. Therefore, we have deployed additional police force to avoid any kind of untoward incident," Deputy Superintendent of Police J.S. Khaira said.

"Preliminary investigation suggests that the deceased was not keeping good health. This could be the main reason behind the extreme step," he said.

Muni had been staying on the temple premises since 1993. His family members suspect a foul play in his death.

"He cannot commit suicide. We want police to register a murder case," a relative of the deceased said.

Jatinder Muni, another priest, who lived with the deceased said, "During the wee hours, I heard shrieks. On coming outside, I saw him struggling with flames. He had used the diesel of the generator to commit suicide."

Pabhat village is around 10 km from state capital Chandigarh.