Jawans set boy on fire?

Victim suffers 90% burns

Hyderabad: In a ghastly incident, an 11-year-old boy was doused with kerosene and set on fire allegedly by army jawans in the military area under Humayun Nagar police station limits on Wed- nesday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Syed Mustafa, was a resident of Siddique Nagar. Police said that Mustafa who suffered 90 per cent burn injuries was being treated at Apollo DRDO Hospital and his condition was critical. The boy in his statement said that army jawans used to make him run errands for little things. On Wednesday when he refused to obey their orders, the jawans beat him with a cane and then poured kerosene and set him ablaze.

Mayor Md Majid Hussain, who visited the hospital, spoke to Governor ESL Narasimhan over phone and requested him to take stern action against those responsible for the dreadful incident. The Governor spoke to the sub-area commander who gave an assurance of a transparent investigation.

However, late in the night the Army authorities refuted the allegations.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy and other senior officials who visited the spot ordered a detailed inquiry.