Kulgam, June 16: A 17-year-old girl was set ablaze allegedly by her neighboring youth in Kellam area of this South Kashmir district after she refused to be in relationship with him.
 Police has registered a case and detained the accused.
 “The accused, Asif Bhat son of Javed Bhat, 23, after finding Sabia Jan daughter of Muhammad Ayub Lone, a student of 11th standard, alone in her house, forced his entry into the residence, sprayed kerosene oil on her and setting her ablaze,” a police official said.
 He said as the girl raised hue and cry, the villagers rushed towards the house and doused off the flames, shifting her to district hospital Kulgam in a critical condition. Sabia was later shifted to SMHS, hospital, Srinagar for further treatment.
 “The girl has received 90 percent burn injuries and her condition is being monitored,” said a doctor attending him.
 Asif according to the police official had been allegedly harassing and forcing the girl into a relationship since many years, but she had time and again turning down his offer.
 “As Asif failed to make relationship with a girl, he looked for an opportunity to avenge. On Wednesday evening when he came to know about the girl being alone at home, he took a kerosene bottle and match box and after barging into the house set her ablaze,” a police official said.
 He said during the incident, Asif also received burn injuries on his hand and he too was shifted to district hospital Kulgam where from he was also referred to SMHS for treatment. He was discharged today and subsequently taken into police custody, the official said.
 Station House Officer (SHO), Kulgam Muhammad Yousuf when contacted said, “We have recorded the statement of the girl, her family members and neighbors. The accused had been un-necessarily harassing the girl for long time and forcing her into a relationship. But as she refused, the youth Asif in a fit of anger committed this heinous crime. We have taken him into custody as soon as he was discharged from the hospital.”
 SHO added a case FIR no 109/2011 under section 307 RPC had been registered in Police Station, Kulgam and the investigations were on. 

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST