Boy set afire in army area, battling for life
HYDERABAD: An eleven-year-old boy was doused with kerosene and set afire allegedly by Army men at the high-security military area in Mehdipatnam here on Wednesday. The Army, however, denied its personnel were involved in the incident.
The boy, identified as Syed Mustaffa, was set on fire around 2.45 p.m. He was first taken to a government hospital and then, to a private hospital with 90 per cent burns, and his condition is critical. Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy and other senior officers visited the spot.
In his statement to the police, Mustaffa confirmed that a 'military man' had attacked him. The victim's parents also alleged that Army men had deliberately tried to kill their son. Army authorities at the Mehdipatnam Military Garrison, late in the evening, issued a statement terming the allegation false.
'At about 2.45 p.m. on Wednesday, it was brought to the knowledge of the Army authorities at Mehdipatnam Military Garrison that an 11-year-old boy was allegedly burnt by some Army personnel. On investigation, it was found that the allegation was absolutely false and no Army personnel was involved in the incident,' the statement said.
The statement further said necessary assistance was being provided to the police to carry out a detailed investigation. An Army spokesperson in Delhi, according to reports, also said their officials were assisting the police since the incident took place in the Army area. Meanwhile, police rushed additional forces to the area as a precautionary measure.
News Posted: 9 October, 2014
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