Republic Day celebrations at the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam witnessed a high drama this morning when a retired tax inspector tried to immolate himself.
Police arrested 64-year-old Bharat Singh, a retired tax inspector of the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam. Later, he was released on bail.
The incident happened when GNN Mayor Teluram Kambojh was addressing the municipal staff on the occasion of the Republic Day, police said.
After he was released on bail, Singh, who retired in 2009, alleged the GNN forcefully vacated his family from its flat despite his paying the rent.
The GNN authorities did not take permission of a city magistrate before resorting to such action, he said.
"I have been requesting the Nigam to give me the house back but nobody is listening. So, I came here to immolate myself," Singh said.
The retired man reached the GNN office in Navyug Market area at around 9 A M with a can of kerosene.
But, security guards stopped him at the gate, police said.
After a few minutes, Singh started pouring kerosene on his body, they said adding the guard tried to stop him and raised an alarm.
People rushed towards Singh and snatched the match box from his hand, police said.
Singh said he had also sent a letter to the President seeking his permission for self-immolation.
