A protest by some Congress workers took a fiery turn on Monday when they accidentally set themselves on fire while trying to burn Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy in Shimla.
According to reports, at least five Congress activists sustained burn injuries.
A Congress worker suffers burns while trying to set an effigy on fire during a protest on #NationalHerald in Shimla. pic.twitter.com/P2awnWF9Nt
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 14, 2015
The protest march was held by the Congress workers against NDA allegedly targeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case.
The fire got out of control when an eager participant lit a match as petrol was still being poured on the rag figurine, reports Hindustan Times.
The incident took place near Deputy Commissioner’s office where PCC president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had led a peaceful demonstration after the party’s call for state-wide protests.
Two party workers suffered minor burn injuries and one of them identified as Manoj Adhikari had to be rushed to hospital. He is out of danger now.
Eyewitnesses said the party workers, who had assembled close to the Central Telegraph office (CTO), were raising anti-Modi slogans
“A Sikh gentleman had turned up with a bottle filled with petrol and poured on the effigy amidst slogans and cheers. The fire flared -up and engulfed some of the activists,” a party leader told Indian Express.
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An effigy of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a 'coffin' is burnt together with a sofa and wood as people gather to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in Goldthorpe, northen En(04 of36)
An effigy of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a 'coffin' is burnt together with a sofa and wood as people gather to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in Goldthorpe, northen England, on April 17, 2013. The funeral of Margaret Thatcher took place on April 17, with Queen Elizabeth II leading mourners from around the world in bidding farewell to one of Britain's most influential and divisive prime ministers. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATESANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images
An effigy of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a 'coffin' is burnt together with a sofa and wood as people gather to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in Goldthorpe, northen En(05 of36)
An effigy of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a 'coffin' is burnt together with a sofa and wood as people gather to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in Goldthorpe, northen England, on April 17, 2013. The funeral of Margaret Thatcher took place on April 17, with Queen Elizabeth II leading mourners from around the world in bidding farewell to one of Britain's most influential and divisive prime ministers. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATESANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images
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A coffin and effigy of Margaret Thatcher passes along the High Street in Goldthorpe near Barnsley on the day of her funeral. (credit:PA)
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Baroness Thatcher funeral(33 of36)
An effigy of Baroness Thatcher hangs near the Goldthorpe Union Jack Memorial club as local residents celebrate her death on the day of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral. (credit:PA)
Baroness Thatcher funeral(34 of36)
Protesters gather and march in Goldthorpe, Yorkshire to celebrate the funeral of Baroness Thatcher. (credit:PA)
Baroness Thatcher funeral(35 of36)
An effigy of Baroness Thatcher hangs near the Goldthorpe Union Jack Memorial club as local residents celebrate her death on the day of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral. (credit:PA)
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A horse drawn hearse carrying an effigy and a coffin pass Goldthorpe Union Jack Memorial club as local residents celebrate her death on the day of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral. (credit:PA)