Girl sets self afire after lover hangs himself

A 19-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by setting herself ablaze after learning that her 22-year-old lover had hanged himself near here, police said Monday.

The couple was neighbors, and the reason for taking the extreme step was not known, the police said.

On Sunday, the lovers were arguing with each other over the phone while the boy was having drinks with his friend, they said.

Later, the boy went home, told his family he would return on Monday, but phoned up his brother and his friend and said he was going to commit suicide, police said. Later, he was found hanging from a tree, they said.

On hearing this, the girl doused kerosene on her person and set herself afire, the police said. Both the families were not aware that the two were in love, they added.