Lucknow, November 6
Seven members of a family in Dostpur Shivli village of Unnao district were burnt alive in their house last midnight.
A police spokesman said the incident came to light this morning when the house of one Babulal was found reduced to ashes under Fatehpur Chaurasi police station in the district.
There was a quarrel between Babulal Kanjar and Ramnath Pasi-both members of Dalit, though different, communities-in the village yesterday over damage to paddy caused by goats during the day.
The police said Ramnath Pasi, along with nine others, attacked the family of Babulal and beat them. Later, they locked the family members in the house and allegedly set it on fire around midnight, which charred to death seven persons while five received burn injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Gangaram (55), Munnilal (24), Bitaulia (53), Bhuri Lal (55), Neetu (7), Seema (3) and Reena (1).
A case was registered today. Ten of the 11 persons named in the FIR were arrested while Bholai, pradhan of the village, who is believed to be the main accused, absconded, the police said.
Two of the seriously injured were hospitalised, while the bodies were sent for post-mortem.
The police was deployed in the area as a precautionary measure and senior officials were camping there.
UNI, PTI
