Settling scores?: Boy set on fire succumbs to his injuries

SUKKUR:

A tenth grade student died after being set on fire on Saturday in Khanpur Mahar, Ghotki.

Gyan Chand Meghwar, 15, was on his way back to Khangarh from Khanpur Mahar when two motorcyclists offered him a ride.

After covering some distance, the two men stopped the motorcycle and demanded Meghwar hand over his mobile and cash.

During the mugging, Meghwar identified one of them as Sunil Kumar, who had his face covered with a cloth, and asked for his cash and phone back. But the two men overpowered Meghwar and set him on fire. People rushed to the scene after hearing the boy’s screams and took him to the taluka hospital. The doctors there lacked the necessary expertise to treat Meghwar’s injuries and he was referred to Civil Hospital, Sukkur. Dr Asadullah Khoso, the doctor on duty, said that the boy’s condition was critical as he had sustained more than 80 per cent burns. The boy was later referred to Civil Hospital, Karachi, on his father’s request.

While talking to The Express Tribune, the boy’s uncle, Nanik Ram Meghwar, claimed that Sunil and his father Krishan Meghwar are criminals. He added that Meghwar’s father, Basant Kumar Meghwar, had provided evidence against Krishan in a case. This was the reason of their enmity, he added.

A case has yet to be registered. Krishan was not available for comment - he has gone into hiding.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2013.