Lunavada, Jun 8 (IANS): On Wednesday morning, Mahisagar's Resident Additional Collector's chamber witnessed a high voltage drama when some tribals attempted self-immolation. Timely intervention by the police prevented the situation from escalating.

"In the last few months, Patelia tribals from different villages of Lunavada taluka have filed applications for tribal certificates which were rejected and challenged through an appeal that came up for hearing before the Resident Additional Collector A.I.Suthar," said sources in the Collector's office.

The sources said that the group of tribals had come well prepared: "The moment they entered the Resident Additional Collector's chamber, they poured kerosene and petrol on themselves and started threatening the officer that if they were not issued tribal certificates, they will set themselves ablaze."

Before the situation got out of hand, police intervened. Then in the presence of senior police officers, the Resident Additional Collector heard them.

"This was not just a surprise but a shocking move," said Pramod Alvi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mahisagar, adding that "these tribals have been coming to the Collector's office for the past few months as they want tribal certificates. Today, they attempted self-immolation."

These tribals were detained in the past and even arrested for unlawful assembly under Section 141 of the IPC. They were detained again for attempting self-immolation in a government office but were later released.