According to police sources in Patan, nine persons were detained at the Collector’s office before they could take the extreme step. The police had received the letter from the Collector’s office almost a week ago and were on the lookout of the trio, but they went missing.

The police had stationed themselves outside the Collector’s office with fire extinguishers and managed to stop Hema Vankar and Rama Chamar before they lit themselves. However, Bhanubhai Vankar lit himself ablaze outside the Collector’s compound and came running in before anyone could stop him.

Speaking to The Quint, Bhargav Vankar, son of Babubhai Vankar, said, “He had not informed anyone in the family about his plans to immolate himself and went missing about a week ago. He took this step for other people’s land.We first took him to a hospital in Patan then to Mehsana and finally to Gandhinagar.”

Vankar’s kin confirmed later on Friday night that the activist was no more.