Woman Attempts Self-Immolation Outside CM Special Cell at Chennai Secretariat

A 45-year-old woman suffered burn injuries after setting herself on fire outside the Chief Minister’s Special Cell at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday morning. On-duty police personnel immediately intervened, rescued the woman, and rushed her to a hospital for emergency treatment.

The victim was identified as Archana, a resident of Avalurpet village located near Villupuram. According to preliminary inquiries conducted by the authorities, Archana had traveled to the Secretariat to submit a formal grievance petition. She was seeking government intervention regarding an ongoing land dispute with a local resident in her village.

The incident occurred at around 11 am while Archana was waiting near the entrance of the Chief Minister’s Special Cell inside the complex. In a sudden act, she torched her saree, causing immediate alarm among those present in the area.

Police personnel stationed on duty at the location acted swiftly to extinguish the flames and administered essential first aid to the victim at the spot. She was then promptly shifted to the Omandurar Government Hospital for further medical care.

The self-immolation attempt caused panic inside the Secretariat premises for a while. Following the incident, security personnel deployed at the complex intensified screening protocols and surveillance of members of the public entering the facility.

The Fort Police have registered a case regarding the incident, and preliminary inquiries into the matter are ongoing.