THATTA, Dec 8: A young labourer, Farooq Shidi, set himself on fire and rushed inside a police chowki at the town’s main bazaar on Eid day in protest against police atrocities.

According to eyewitness reports, Farooq set himself on fire after dousing himself with kerosene to protest against his frequent arrests and consequent police atrocities.

He then ran into the police chowki, while shouting that they (the police) would not let him live.

The policemen, with the help of passersby, managed to extinguish the fire.

He was rushed to the Makli Civil Hospital, from where he was immediately referred to a hospital in Karachi.

The doctors at the Makli hospital said that he was brought in a critical condition, and his body suffered 50 per cent burn wounds.

Meanwhile, the official in charge of the town police chowki, Amir Khan, said that Farooq had been arrested a few days ago in a robbery case but was let off after interrogation.

He said that Farooq was intoxicated when he took the extreme step.

The police have registered a murder attempt case against Farooq.

RALLY: The traditional ‘Nawabi Juloos’ was taken out by the Shirazi clan here on Eid day.