Fatal protest

A man who had set fire to himself after his ex-wife refused to reconcile with him died at the Calmette Hospital late on Sunday.

Chhum Pov, a 38-year-old mig-rant worker, had been rushed to the Phnom Penh hospital from the Stung Trang district, in Kampong Cham province, on Sunday night but died soon   after arriving, district police   chief Chea Thearith said.

Chhum Pov had returned to his village in the district’s Soupheas commune early on Sunday hoping to reconcile with his ex-wife, who had divorced him four months ago, Chea Thearith said.

After failing to convince her to reunite with him, Chhum Pov doused her house in petrol, set it on fire, then jumped into the flames. Neighbours had to wait for the flames to subside before they could help him.

Chhum Pov was taken to a district hospital, then transferred to Calmette, the officer said, adding that the deceased’s ex-wife had divorced him because he was  unreliable and an alcoholic.