Srinagar: A 27-year-old youth set himself on fire when a demolition squad comprising police and officials from Irrigation and flood control department were about to pull down his newly constructed complex in Harran, Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Saturday.
The 27-year-old was identified as Aamir Hamid Shah.
A video of the incident, which is doing rounds on social media, shows the youth setting himself on fire and runs amok near the construction and few people trying to save him.
He was shifted to hospital for treatment.
However, the demolition squad retrieved back after the tragedy, locals said.
Moreover, Police in a statement said, the demolition drive undertaken by Irrigation and Flood Control Department over the banks of Nalla Sindh, Amir Hamid suddenly appeared from behind the illegal structure and self-immolated on its roof to protest against demolition of illegal structure built on the banks of the water body.
“The person was however, rescued by SHO Ganderbal and locals on spot,” police said.
“A deep trench was dug by the owners of structure to prevent any ingress into the premises which prevented a prompt rescue,” the police said further.
The police said that all help and support in the hospitalisation has been rendered and assured family members best medical treatment.
“One police team is already there in hospital and facilitating his treatment,” the statement reads,
“Moreover Police also requested the media fraternity and general public not to circulate the video of unfortunate incident.”
(GNS)
