Dehradun, May 12 (PTI) Uttarakhand Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela on Tuesday attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on herself while protesting atop a water tank here in support of unemployed nursing professionals, officials said.
The incident occurred at the Parade Ground, where Rautela had been camping atop the water tank since Monday.
Chaos ensued as fellow protesters and police intervened to snatch the bottle of patrol from her hand, the officials said.
Rautela joined the stir launched by the Nursing Ekta Manch, which is demanding year-wise recruitment in accordance with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
A video shared on social media criticised the state government for alleged inaction, claiming the step was taken due to the "arrogance" of the ruling BJP.
"No government representative visited the site in the last 40 hours. The chief minister is going to Assam but has no time for the state's youth," the post read.
The nursing professionals have been on strike and fasting for the last three weeks. Their representatives climbed the water tank on Monday to intensify the agitation, with Rautela joining them in solidarity.