Kulgam, June 22: The death of a girl, who received critical injuries, after being set ablaze allegedly by her neighboring youth in Kellar area of this South Kashmir district on June 15, triggered massive protests in the village on Wednesday as police had to use force to disperse the mob which attacked the house of the accused.
 Early, in the morning after the body of 17-year-old Shobi Jan daughter of Muhammad Ayub Lone, who succumbed to burn injuries in SMHS, hospital Srinagar on Tuesday evening, was buried; people in large numbers gathered in the village and protested against the killing. The protesters also attacked the house of a the accused youth, Asif Ahmad Bhat son of Javed Ahmad Bhat who has already been detained by the police for allegedly setting ablaze the girl.
 “The protesters ransacked the house and tried to set the house hold items ablaze in the lawn. However, huge contingent of police rushed to the spot and dispersed the mob,” eyewitnesses said.
 The protesters, they said offered stiff resistance; and later police resorted to baton charge and fired several tear gas shells resulting in minor injuries to few.
 Shobi Jan was set ablaze allegedly by the youth after she had refused to be in relationship with him.  She received 90 percent burn injuries and was admitted in SMHS.
 Asif according to a police official had been allegedly harassing and forcing the girl into a relationship from 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 and on the fateful evening when he came to know about the girl being alone at home, he went to her house and after sprinkling Kerosene oil on her set her ablaze,” a police official had said. Police has already registered a case and detained the accused.
 When contacted SHO, Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf said, “The locals who were furious over the death of a girl tried to attack the house of accused. However, the timely intervention of the police brought the things under control.”
 He said a case of murder had already been registered against the accused and the Challan would be produced in the court in a few days time.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST