According to sources, Juli Patel (17), a resident of Bansidhar Society in Amreli, committed suicide by settling herself on fire on Monday night. Juli was rushed to the Civil Hospital where she succumbed to her burn injuries on Tuesday.

This is reportedly the third incident of suicide by a board student in the Saurashtra region within a week.

The board examinations are to begin in the state on March 17.

According to the statement given before the police by Juli’s parents, she was under stress for last many days. Her parents believe that she took the extreme step possibly under depression.

Earlier, on February 19, two science stream students of Class XII — Bandish Gajipara and Mital Barad — had committed suicide because of their inability to cope up with the exam pressure.

When contacted, Bandish’s father Bharat Gajipara said he has decided to start a counselling centre and a reading room facility especially for those students who are experiencing stress.

“What happened with my son is painful. I wish I can guide other students and stop them from taking the extreme step,” he said.

Gajipara is a senior advocate and former president of Junagadh district panchayat.