Man Sets Shop Ablaze, Pours Petrol On Himself Amid Bulldozer Action In Varanasi

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 18:11 IST

The incident occured after the Municipal Corporation began demolishing 21 structures identified as unsafe and obstructing the road widening project.

Tension flared in Varanasi’s Dalmandi area on Monday as a large-scale demolition drive for road widening got underway, during which a man allegedly set his shop on fire and poured petrol on himself in protest against the administration’s action.

According to officials, the Municipal Corporation began demolishing 21 structures identified as unsafe and obstructing the widening project, marking the biggest single-day demolition exercise in Dalmandi so far.

The drive is part of an ongoing campaign to clear old and dilapidated buildings along the stretch.

Local shopkeepers and residents staged protests at the site, urging the administration to grant them at least a 10-day extension to vacate.

However, their appeals were not accepted, leading to heightened tensions.

Amid the operation, the owner of a property identified as house number 40/71 set his shop ablaze and threatened self-immolation.

The situation was brought under control before any further harm occurred.

In view of the situation, heavy police deployment was made in the area.

Around 500 police personnel, including women officers, were stationed across Dalmandi, with forces drawn from four police stations.

The entire operation was closely monitored using drones, and barricades were erected on approach roads to restrict movement and prevent disruption.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dashashwamedh) Atul Anjan said demolition work was being carried out continuously as part of the road widening project and described Saturday’s exercise as a major operation.

He added that security arrangements had been tightened to ensure law and order and to allow the work to proceed without obstruction.

The Municipal Corporation had issued notices to 23 properties on January 31, warning of demolition.

Officials said the structures are over a century old and in a severely dilapidated condition, posing a serious risk to occupants.

Despite this, several families and shopkeepers were still living and operating from the buildings.

Earlier, eight houses in the area were demolished together on January 21 as part of the same project.

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