Man immolates self outside Bhatkal Municipality; Bhatkal tense as shop owners protests

Bhatkal, 13 September 2017: A man identified as Ramachandra Naik, set himself on fire outside the Bhatkal Municipality office after a standoff with local officials on Thursday morning. According to sources, the man suffered severe burns and was rushed to a private hospital in Manipal where he received medical attention. Hundreds of protesters stormed the municipality office following the incident as shop owners protested against a recent crackdown by officials to vacate shops without valid bond papers. Schools and educational institutions called the day off as a precautionary measure. The crackdown on shops was allegedly in line with a recent order by the Deputy Commissioner. Protestors pelted stones and chanted slogans against local officials as they tried to break into the TMC office. Stone pelters also damaged the building facade as police officials remained on site. Report by: I. Zaorez Shabab