‘Wanted’ siblings succumb to burns

Two brothers, who allegedly set themselves afire to evade police arrest, succumbed while undergoing treatment in SCB Medical, Cuttack, on Sunday.

They were wanted for their alleged involvement in a case at Machhua Sahi under Town police limits.

The deceased have been identified as Sk Sadique (25) and Sk Sabir (35). Sources said on Saturday night a team of police officials led by Town police station IIC Tareqe Ahemad had gone to arrest Sk Sabir, accused of attacking fire services personnel. Sabir threatened to commit suicide as soon as the police entered his house. Before the raiding team could rescue him, he doused himself in kerosene and set himself afire. Hearing his screams his brother Sadique tried to save and came running and sustained severe burn injuries. Balasore SP Amrita Dash said both were immediately rushed to district headquarters hospital and then shifted to SCB Medical in a critical condition where both succumbed.

Meanwhile, family members of the deceased have alleged that police poured kerosene on them and set them on fire. Bereaved father Sk Gafur has lodged a written complaint against Town Police IIC demanding action.  He alleged that police entered the house forcibly and poured kerosene on his sons before setting them on fire. He further alleged that police snatched ` 20,000 and gold ornaments besides assaulting other family members who tried to protest. 

A case has been registered against the IIC. Denying the charges, Ahemad said he had just gone there to arrest the two who were accused of ransacking a shop and assaulting the shopkeeper and his employees. “It was the police who rescued them and took them to hospital,” he said. SP Dash said DSP (crime) had been asked to probe the incident.