THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two job seekers tried to commit suicide in front of the Kerala secretariat by pouring kerosene on their bodies while demanding the PSC to speed up last grade appointments. A tragedy was averted due to police intervention. Following this, Riju from Wayanad and Praveen Kumar from Thiruvananthapuram were arrested and later released on bail.

The dramatic incident took place yesterday afternoon during a strike by candidates in front of the Secretariat. Candidates from various districts had joined the strike which had commenced on January 26.

Both Riju and Praveen Kumar poured kerosene on their heads, soon after VS Sivakumar MLA left the venue after inaugurating the 14th day of the strike. Police immediately seized the vessels that contained kerosene. Though other protesters stood around the two job seekers, a special security cordon was set up for them by the police. The spread of kerosene on the busy Secretariat road was also a cause for concern. Firefighters reached the area and cleaned the road and the area where the protesters were staying. Riju and Praveen Kumar were rushed to the hospital by ambulance.