A 36-year-old former apprentice, who was seeking permanency in his job, set himself on fire in front of the general manager’s office at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) on Thursday.
An official of the ICF Police Station said Hemanth Kumar, a resident of Perambur, had worked as an apprentice welder at ICF for 10 years from 1991-2001.
For the past 70 days, more than 500 persons have been protesting outside the ICF headquarters seeking job permanency.
Kumar, who was one of them, suddenly entered the ICF office, doused himself in kerosene and immolated himself.
B. Jeeva, office bearer of the ICF Apprentice Course Completed Students Association, said Kumar had been participating in the protest and had threatened self-immolation to highlight the plight of the apprentice holders.
Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline can be reached at 24640050.
