'Denied petrol in bottle'; Man self-immolates in Irinjalakuda petrol pump, dies

THRISSUR: A youngster who tried to commit suicide at a petrol pump in Irinjalakuda died while undergoing treatment on Sunday. Shanavas (43), a native of Kattungachira died after pouring petrol and setting himself on fire. The incident happened last night around 8 pm.

A bitter feud happened after Shanavas reached the petrol pump near Marina Hospital on the Irinjalakuda-Chalakudy state highway and demanded petrol to be supplied in a bottle. The employees refused it since it was now considered a crime to supply petrol in water bottles. The employees asked Shanavas to come with a can instead and went away to attend to another vehicle. In the meantime, Shanavas poured petrol over his head and set himself on fire.

The employees then used a fire extinguisher to douse the fire, and a major calamity was averted. Shanavas was immediately taken to Marina Hospital and then shifted to Thrissur Medical College Hospital for expert treatment.