VARANASI: A 16-year-old dalit girl was allegedly set ablaze by a youth of other community when she opposed his intent outrage her modesty at

in

police station area of

district on Monday evening. The seriously injured girl was referred to

hospital in Varanasi for treatment. The accused was caught and thrashed by locals and handed over to police. He was also admitted to Azamgarh hospital for treatment.

The police registered an FIR and booked the accused under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrong¬ful restraint) of IPC, SC/ST Act and POCSO Act. Communal tension prevailed in the locality after the incident. In view of communal tension heavy police force has been deployed in the village to avert any untoward situation.

According to reports, a youth of the same village

went to the girl’s house in the evening and allegedly beat her before setting her afire by pouring kerosene oil on her. Hearing her scream local residents rushed to her house and extinguished the fire. The local natives also caught the accused when he was trying to flee from the scene, and thrashed him badly. The girl alleged that the youth had been harassing her for quite some time.

The news spread like a wild fire, and the police reached the village immediately after getting information and sent the girl as well as the accused to the district hospital. The doctors referred the girl to BHU hospital. The Azamgarh SP (city)

said that adequate police force has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.