UNNAO: In a horrifying incident in Uttar Pradesh, an 18-year-old girl was burnt to death on Thursday evening. Her charred body was found outside her village in Unnao district, about 100 km from state capital Lucknow. Moments after she had left home on her bicycle for the weekly market in the area, she was attacked by unidentified persons who used kerosene oil to set her on fire, police said.
She tried to run towards the village but collapsed after about 100 metres.
"We heard cries and rushed to the spot. However, by the time we got here, she had died. She didn't have enmity with anyone in the village," said Bhauri Ram, a chowkidar or watchman.
Her body, with 100 percent burn injuries, was recovered by the side of a field outside her village. Her cycle was lying next to her. It appears that the girl was burnt alive, the Uttar Pradesh police said. An empty can and a bundle of matchsticks were also found on the spot.
"She had left home to buy vegetables around 4.30 pm. Soon after, her burnt body was recovered in the village. The news of her death spread in the village, and her family rushed to the spot. They identified her cycle and slippers," said a senior police officer.
As her post-mortem report on Friday has ruled out sexual assault, the police said they are gathering information to ascertain the reason and studying the circumstances that led to the attack.