Five women allegedly tried to set themselves ablaze at the district Collectorate here, in the presence of State Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar, to protest against the arrest of their relative, police said today.
The incident occurred when the Minister was inspecting the Collectorate where additional buildings are to come up at a cost of Rs 27 crore, they said.
Police and fire service personnel, who were present at the spot thwarted the self-immolation attempt.
The women claimed that their relative Kavaathu Tirupathi and his four associates, accused of murder and robberies, were innocent and demanded their release.
Investigation is on, police said.
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