A protest over the controversial SIR process took a dangerous turn outside the E-Gate of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning, when a woman allegedly attempted to set herself on fire, reportedly over fears linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) controversy.
According to reports, three women appeared at the High Court gate. One of them, identified as Purnima Haldar, allegedly poured kerosene on herself in a bid to self-immolate. Security personnel and police officers on duty intervened in time, preventing her from lighting herself on fire.
The woman was immediately taken to SSKM Hospital for preliminary medical treatment. Officials said she would be questioned at the police station once discharged. Authorities have launched a probe into the incident and the circumstances that led the women to take such a step.
Police identified the other two women as Sutishna Sapui and Bandana Naskar, both from the same address as Haldar in Pailan, Amgachia, Kalitala, under Bishnupur police station limits.
Preliminary reports suggest the trio had recently been removed from the electoral roll. Officers said they came to the High Court to stage an “extreme form of protest” against what they believe is an unjust process linked to SIR.
