Kottayam: A temporary security employee of the Adimaly office of the Life Insurance Corporation was seriously injured when he set himself on fire after pouring petrol on his body. The office also caught fire and suffered extensive damage. The security man, Shivan alias Kuttan, 60, of Adimaly, with 90 percent burns, was battling for his life at the Kottayam MCH. A.J. Joseph, assistant manager, who tried to save him, was admitted to the Chazhikattu hospital, Thodupuzha, with minor injuries.
According to police sources, Kuttan was depressed after the LIC branch manager asked him not come to the office as he was irregular. Kuttan reached the office with a bag around 1. 30 p.m. on Friday, poured out the petrol from a can and set himself and the office on fire. “The 3,000 sq-ft office was badly damaged and the computers and other facilities were destroyed,” Raju, an administrative assistant, told DC. The employees ran out of the office, except Joseph who sustained burns while trying to save Shivan. The Adimaly police have registered a case against Shivan.
