He tied the legs and hands of his nine-year-old daughter and tried to bury her in a field in Tripura as he disliked her and wanted a son.

Police have arrested a man on the charges of attempting to bury his nine-year-old daughter alive in Tripura, an official said on Saturday.

"Abul Hussain, 30, tied the legs and hands of his daughter Joshna and tried to bury her in a pit in a deserted field near his residence in Boxanagar on Friday night," police spokesman Uttam Bhowmik said.

"When a neighbour noticed the crime and raised an alarm, other people came to the spot and nabbed Hussain," Bhowmik said. Police with the help of local residents rescued the girl who had been half buried.

The incident took place when Hussain's wife Ayesha Kathun was not at home. The couple has two daughters. The man reportedly disliked his daughter and wanted a son.

The girl was admitted to a government hospital where her medical condition is stated to be critical.