Siba Hasmi, 16, a resident of Gulariya Municipality-8, Bardiya district, was set on fire by Babu Khan, a neighbor, on Friday morning. According to Tanbir Ahmad Hasmi, the victim´s brother, Khan poured petrol over Siba from behind and set her on fire with a matchstick. [break]
Police have arrested Khan over the incident.
“We were all inside when my sister, who had gone outside for a while, was set on fire,” said Tanbir. “When I stepped outside after hearing my sister screaming, she was already completely enveloped in flames.”
Girl undergoing treatment.
According to Tanbir, Khan had been trying to coax Siba to elope with him. “My sister was not ready to marry him without the family´s consent,” said Tanbir. “That is why he tried to burn her alive.”
Siba was rushed to Bardiya District Hospital immediately after the incident. Later in the day, the district hospital referred her to Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj. However, the zonal hospital is also unable to help her.
According to Tanbir, doctors at the zonal hospital have asked them to take Siba to Kathmandu. “We are unable to take her to Kathmandu due to financial problems,” he said, adding, “We are trying to manage the money.”
A doctor at the zonal hospital told Republica that Siba is not yet out of danger. According to her brother, she has severe burns over most of her body and she has even stopped talking since Saturday afternoon.
While undergoing treatment at the district hospital, Siba told the police that Khan acted alone in setting her on fire.
“We arrested Khan on the basis of Siba´s statement,” said SP Ram Kripal Shah, chief of the district police office. “We are now interrogating him.”
However, according to Shah, the victim´s family has so far not lodged any written complaint against Khan.
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