Kolkata, 12 August (H.S.) — Panic broke out outside the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday when two women from South 24 Parganas allegedly attempted to set themselves on fire. The swift intervention of police officers present at the spot averted a major tragedy. Both women were immediately rushed to SSKM Hospital.

According to sources, the women are residents of Amgachhia in Bishnupur police station area. They alleged that they were removed from the membership list of the “Amgachhia Srishti Sangh Primary Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited,” which was formed in 2017. During the elections held this year, several members’ names were reportedly deleted from the list, including those of the two women.

The victims had filed a petition in the High Court. A division bench had ordered that the membership list be republished, but they alleged that the committee failed to comply with the court’s directive. The women also claimed that the cooperative society had collected money from people by offering high interest returns but had failed to return the deposits.

On Tuesday, driven by anger over these issues, the women reached the High Court premises. Eyewitnesses said that one of them suddenly took out a bottle of kerosene from her bag and began pouring it on herself. Onlookers raised the alarm, prompting police to rush in and stop them in time. The Hare Street police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh