Srinagar, Mar 5 (PTI) A 27-year-old man, who had suffered severe burn injuries last month as he set himself on fire to stop an anti-encroachment drive by the irrigation and flood control department in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed to injuries at a hospital here on Saturday, officials said.

Amir Hamid Shah breathed his last at SKIMS hospital where he was undergoing treatment since February 22.

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He had set himself on fire as the irrigation and flood control department launched a demolition drive against illegal constructions along the banks of water bodies following many complaints.

They said during the demolition drive along the banks of Sindh stream, Shah suddenly appeared from behind an illegal structure and self-immolated on its roof in protest against the demolition.

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Though Shah was rescued by locals and police personnel on the spot, he received burn injuries before the flames were doused, the officials said.

The owners of the illegal structure had also dug a deep trench to prevent any ingress into the premises which prevented a prompt rescue, they added.

The incident went viral on social media, prompting police to appeal to people not to share it.

The administration has already ordered an inquiry into the incident.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)