Army denies involvement as boy dies of burns

The Army has denied the involvement of any of its personnel in an incident that occurred Wednesday afternoon when an 11-year-old boy was found with burns all over his body outside the Mehdipatnam Military Garrison.

The boy, Sheikh Mustafa, died Thursday morning at a private hospital with 90 per cent burns. He gave a dying declaration that two Armymen set him on fire after pouring kerosene. Asifnagar Police, where a case of murder has been registered against unknown persons, said it was mystery how the boy got burnt.

Assistant Commissioner D Srinivas said that there was no evidence of the involvement of Army personnel and that they were yet to find out who did it. “Family members of the boy are alleging that Armymen were involved but so far there is no evidence,’’ Srinivas said.

“On investigation, it is found that this allegation is absolutely false and no Army personnel is involved in this incident. The Army condemns this act,’’ a statement from Army PRO said.