Burn victim’s death sparks protests

11-year-old Syed Mustafa, who was allegedly set on fire by Army soldiers, succumbed to injuries on Thursday morning

Hyderabad: The 11-year-old boy, Syed Mustafa, who was allegedly set on fire by military jawans inside the Army Garrison in Mehdipatnam area on Wednesday, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning.

The incident led to tension in the area as people came out on the streets to stage a protest against the military personnel. Police had to baton charge the protestors to disperse them. The Mayor of Hyderabad Majid Hussain rushed to the area and tried to pacify the agitated people and assured them that a transparent investigation would take place and justice would be done to the family of the boy who died.

He told the crowd that gathered near Garrison Gate that the police would take up the issue seriously and arrest the persons involved in the ‘barbaric act’. “The community is cooperating with us on this. I believe the police will strongly act on this incident,” the Mayor said.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in a statement, assured that proper enquiry into the incident would be conducted and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of the victim. He also sent the Excise Minister T Padma Rao to console the bereaved family at Siddique Nagar. On the other hand, the Army authorities, in a statement, denied the role of its jawans in the incident. They conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and assured to provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to carry out a free, fair and transparent investigation. Later the residents conducted the funeral of Mustafa.

Relatives of Mustafa and Siddique Nagar residents, a small settlement inside the Military area protested against the barbaric act at military gates, near Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital. Prior to the arrival of the body, they also held pictures of the boy, along with the crucial evidence found on the spot, including kerosene bottle and match box. When the police did not allow the ambulance carrying the body to stop at the gates, some of the youngsters started protesting. Some of them were driven away, while a few were rounded up by the police.

The eye witnesses who saw the boy on flames on Wednesday afternoon pointed fingers at the army jawans. “The boy told us that it was military jawans who had set him on fire,” said Abdul Qader, a resident of Siddique Nagar.

According to locals, they have been regularly facing problems, for the last few years. A road connecting Rathi Bowli to Sarojini Devi Hospital was used by civilians some 15 years ago, but it was closed down. Now they regularly face problem over entry pass and helmet, while the ladies are asked to remove their veils.

When contacted the Asifnagar Division, ACP, D Srinivas said that the investigation is underway. He said that a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC was registered in connection with the incident against unknown persons on Wednesday. Now that the boy has died, the sections have been altered to murder – section 302 of IPC, the DCP said.