Patiala: A Patiala Congress worker and trader, Gopalkrishan Kashyap, set himself on fire at the city centre on Tuesday. Scores of people were watching and tried to save him but it may have been too late.
The man suffered 80 per cent burns and is now fighting for his life at Sudarshan Hospital's ICU in Patiala. Eye witnesses say there was a policeman at the spot, who did not stop Gopalkrishan from burning himself.
Before setting himself on fire, Kashyap was protesting the Patiala municipal authorities razing his shop and others belonging to the Paratha Market Traders Association in Patiala.
The municipal corporation had demolished the market as it was built on encroached land. The local MP had sanctioned money to rebuild the market but Kashyap claimed the Mayor was blocking progress.
Kashyap had earlier written to the administration and local media warning he would immolate himself at 3 PM on Tuesday if the shopkeepers demands weren't met.
Clearly the threat was not taken seriously enough.
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