S Durga Prasad (49), who had set himself ablaze in August demanding special category state status to Andhra Pradesh died at a hospital on Friday in Eluru while undergoing treatment for burns.

Durga Prasad was one the persons attempted suicide in August reportedly disillusioned with Centre’s apathy at according special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The attempts began with Muni Koti.s self-immolation bid at a Congress meeting in Tirupati on August 8.

A resident of Unguturu in West Godavari district, Prasad doused himself with and set afire on August 24. He sustained critical burn injuries and had been on treatment ever since with no improvement in his condition. Police said he died at a hospital in Eluru, on Friday morning.

At least five people across Andhra Pradesh committed suicide as the special category status turned in to a sentiment following the linking of the issue with jobs and future of the Youth. Youth in Andhra Pradesh are depressed lot as the state government has not started the recruitment for various jobs, unlike in Telangana, which initiated the process some time back. Even the promised recruitment of teachers has not taken off in Andhra Pradesh.

All those who committed self-immolation were either direct aspirants themselves or those expecting job for their children . In the case of Durga Pradesh, he was depressed that his daughter did not get an opportunity even tough she completed her education . So he was made to believe that special status was the only hope to get jobs for the youth.