Srinagar, Feb 22: A 27-year-old youth set himself on fire as soon as a demolition squad comprising police and men 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.
A video of the incident, which is doing rounds on social media groups, depicts that the youth sets himself on fire and runs amok on the construction.
Some youth rush to save the 27-year-old identified as Aamir Hamid Shah, the video clip shows. Sources said that the youth was later shifted to hospital for treatment. The demolition squad later retrieved back, they said.
Police in a statement issued here said that during the demolition drive undertaken by Irrigation and Flood Control Department over the banks of Nalla Sindh, Amir Hamid Shah son of Nazir Ahmad Shah suddenly appeared from behind the illegal structure and self immolated on its roof in protest against demolition of illegal structure raised on the banks of the water body.
“The person was however, rescued by SHO Ganderbal and locals on spot. He received burn injuries before flames were doused off and was shifted to hospital,” the police said, adding, “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, adding, “Moreover Police requests to media fraternity and general public not to circulate the video of unfortunate incident which is too graphic for the common people.”
