11-year-old boy battling for life after being set on fire in Hyderabad military area

Hyderabad: An eleven-year-old boy was battling for life after he was apparently set on fire in the high security military area in Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad on Wednesday, police said.

“The boy was found burnt after being doused with kerosene in the military area. He suffered 90 percent burn injuries in the incident,” ACP (Asifnagar division) D Srinivas told PTI on Wednesday night.

The boy was at first taken to a government hospital and then shifted to a private hospital after the incident which occurred at around 2:45 pm, he said.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy and other senior officers visited the spot, the ACP said, adding that investigation is underway as to who and how the boy was set on fire.

Additional forces were rushed to the spot, the ACP said when asked if tension prevailed in the area following the incident.

“A case has been registered in connection with the matter,” the senior police officer said but did not divulge under what sections and which Act the case was booked.

The Army, meanwhile, said none of its personnel is involved in the incident.

“On investigation, it is found that no army personnel is involved in this incident. The Army condemns this act. All necessary assistance is being provided to the police authorities to carry out a detailed investigation to arrive at the truth,” a statement by the Army said.

PTI