A lorry driver sustained burn injuries today, when miscreants hurled petrol bomb at his vehicle near Mettupalayam in the district.

Even as all shops and commercial establishments in Mettupalayam town, 40km from here, downed their shutters in response to the bandh call given by the Hindu Munnani protesting against the murder of its spokesperson, Sasikumar, 59-year-old Balakrishnan was driving his sand-laden lorry to Kothagiri in Nilgiris district from Karur, police said.

As he crossed the Forest College and Research Institute road, two persons hiding in a bushy forest, hurled petrol bomb on him, resulting in serious burn injuries. His lorry fell into a pit as he lost control over the vehicle.
Some passersby rushed Balakrishnan to the Government Hospital in Mettupalayam.

Investigations are to ascertain whether the incident was related to the killing of Sasikumar, police added.