A distressing incident unfolded at the Salem district collectorate on Wednesday when a 32-year-old disabled woman attempted to end her life by setting herself on fire. The drastic step was reportedly a result of alleged harassment and inaction by officials regarding her long-pending application for a free housing plot.
The Desperate Act and Immediate Rescue
The woman, identified as Lalitha from Allikkuttai, arrived at the collectorate premises carrying a bottle of kerosene. According to police reports, after some officials stopped and spoke harshly to her, she doused herself with the flammable liquid and lit a match. People present at the scene acted swiftly to extinguish the flames and save her life. Immediate first aid was administered by ambulance staff from the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital.
A History of Pleas and Alleged Harassment
Investigations revealed that Lalitha's ordeal began weeks earlier. She had visited the collectorate about two weeks prior to follow up on her petition for a free housing plot under a government scheme, but found no progress. During that visit, officials allegedly shouted at her, causing her significant distress. When she shared this humiliating experience with her neighbours, they shockingly suggested she take kerosene to the collectorate and attempt suicide—a suggestion that tragically materialized.
Lalitha later explained her desperate situation to the collector's personal assistant, P A Shalini. She revealed that her husband had abandoned her and their two daughters two years ago, leaving them without any support. For the past two years, she has struggled to survive and pinned her hopes on securing a free housing plot through her petitions to the collector's office, which saw no action.
Official Response and Assurances
Following the traumatic incident and Lalitha's testimony, the collector's office has taken note. Personal assistant P A Shalini assured Lalitha that steps would be initiated to allot her a free housing plot. The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the treatment of vulnerable citizens seeking welfare benefits and the potential consequences of bureaucratic apathy and alleged verbal abuse.
The case underscores the critical need for sensitivity and prompt action in government offices, especially when dealing with persons with disabilities and those in dire economic circumstances. While Lalitha received a promise of help after her life-threatening protest, the event raises serious questions about the systemic hurdles faced by the poor in accessing entitled schemes.
