An 11-year-old boy Mustafa is battling for life with 80 per cent burns after unidentified military men allegedly set him ablaze at Mehdipatnam’s Garrison area on Wednesday.
While the Humayunnagar police have already started investigation after an attempt to murder case was registered, the military authorities too launched a probe by visiting the place where the boy was found with burns. The boy studying at a Madarsa was staying at Siddiquinagar adjacent to the Garrison area. Around 2.45 p.m., locals found him lying on the ground with critical burns and rushed him to a private hospital. Afterwards, he was taken to Osmania General Hospital and later shifted to DRDO Apollo hospital in Santoshnagar. “The spot where Mustafa was found with burns was military area. A cool drink bottle with kerosene, some match boxes and a pair of footwear were found in the vicinity,” West zone DCP V. Satyanarayana told The Hindu . The DCP maintained that Mustafa told the OGH Resident Medical Officer that some military personnel set him ablaze. “The boy’s statement was recorded by a magistrate and we too are taking his statement to ascertain the facts,” he said.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy visited the spot while military officials also examined the area. CLUES team searched the spot for evidence . The DCP said three special teams were formed to investigate the case.
Tension prevailed at Siddiquinagar with the residents entering into arguments with the military officials over the incident.
