CHENNAI: Tension prevailed outside the Secretariat on Monday morning after a woman attempted self-immolation. She sustained minor burn injuries, and the police personnel on duty rescued and rushed her to hospital.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that she had come to submit a petition to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell to take action in an unresolved land dispute at her native village near Villupuram.

The woman, identified as Archana from Avalurpet village, came to the Secretariat around 11 am to submit a grievance. While waiting near the entrance of the Special Cell, Archana set her saree on fire. The personnel immediately extinguished the flames and administered first aid before shifting her to the Omandurar Government Hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, security personnel intensified screening and surveillance of members of the public entering the complex.