Couple attempts self-immolation during anti-encroachment drive in Dewas:Both critical, referred to Indore; locals protest near police station

In Dewas, a husband and wife set themselves on fire in front of a team that had arrived to remove an encroachment. Both suffered severe burn injuries and were referred to Indore after being given primary treatment. The incident took place on Wednesday in Satwas, under Khategaon tehsil. According to information, Santosh Vyas, who runs a stationery and photocopy shop at the Satwas bus stand, was constructing a house in a colony. The administration had received a complaint alleging encroachment in the construction. Following this, the tehsildar reached the site on Wednesday with a JCB machine to carry out the demolition. During the operation, an argument broke out between Santosh Vyas, his wife Jayshree Vyas, and the tehsildar. Amid the confrontation, the couple poured petrol on themselves and set themselves on fire in front of the tehsildar. Road blocked after the incident People present at the spot immediately rushed to douse the flames. By the time the fire was extinguished, both the husband and wife had sustained serious burn injuries. The incident triggered widespread outrage in the area. Angry residents blocked the road in front of the police station at Satwas bus stand and raised slogans against the tehsildar. Family terms action illegal The injured couple was first given primary medical treatment in Satwas. Due to their critical condition, they were later referred to Indore for further treatment. Meanwhile, the Vyas family termed the administrative action illegal, alleging that all necessary permissions had already been obtained for the building under construction.