Tension gripped the District Collectorate today when a man attempted to immolate himself along with his three children.

Pon Raja of Nagarajapuram near Podanur arrived at the Collectorate along with his children – all below eight years – to air his grievances during the grievance day meeting.

Suddenly he poured kerosene, which he had brought in a can, on himself and on his three daughters. Even before he attempted to light a match stick, police overpowered him and also rescued three children, who were drenched with kerosene.

When questioned, Raja said he has been living in a house which he had constructed a house in a ‘poramboke’ land a few years ago. “Some persons came and threatened of dire consequences if I did not vacate the place, which they claimed as belonged to a temple,” he said.

As police did not take any action against them, in spite of so many complains, I had no other option, he added.
Raja, along with the children, were taken to the nearby police station for counselling and inquiry.