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PATNA: Two minor girls were burned alive at Gordaha under the Azamnagar police station area in Katihar district on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday over an alleged land dispute .

Panjam Das (40), the victims’ father, told the police that some miscreants poured petrol and set their home on fire at around 1.30am when he and his wife Manjula Devi (35) were sleeping with their two daughters. “We woke up and tried to douse the fire, but in vain. I saved my wife, who is physically challenged, but couldn’t save my daughters,” he told the police.

The deceased were identified as Preeti Kumari (3) and Kiran Kumari (one-and-a-half years old). Their charred bodies were sent to the Sadar Hospital for post mortem. Panjam’s brother-in-law, who lives in the neighbourhood, took the couple to a nearby primary health centre. Later, they were shifted to Sadar Hospital.

“Both are critical with more than 60% burn injury. On Panjam’s statement, the police arrested Abdul Rahman (35) and his wife Mokeem Akhtari (32) for their alleged involvement in setting the victims’ house ablaze,” Katihar SP Vikash Kumar told this newspaper over the phone on Monday. He said the police were informed about the incident around 3am.

According to police sources, Abdul bought from Badri Thakur’s sister the land where Panjam and his family live in a small asbestos-roof house. “Panjam runs a small tea stall at his home to support his family. Sources said Abdul and his men had allegedly threatened Panjam to vacate the land or else his house would be burned down,” the SP said.

“Badri and his brothers had a dispute with their sister over the piece of land. According to sources, Badri had asked Panjam to encroach the land in order to prevent Abdul from taking it over. So, the Panjam’s family left home in Nagaar village under the Azamnagar police station area and started living on this piece of land,” SP said and added: “The suspects have been arrested and police are investigating the matter from all angles.”

