Dhaka: Police on Friday night arrested another young man on charge of setting fire to the body of a teenage girl named Aleya Akhter in the city’s Pallabi area.

Police picked up Belal from Shah Ali thana area at about 11pm Friday, acting on the statement given by main accused Khokon, who was arrested instantly from the scene during the barbaric act on Wednesday night.

Police said Khokon’s aide Belal poured petrol on Aleya’s body before setting her on fire.

In the grisly attack, Khokon and his two associates poured petrol and set fire on the body of the girl near D-block at Mirpur 8 as she refused to marry Khokon, said to be a drug peddler.

Passers-by caught Khokon red-handed, gave him a good beating and handed him over to police while fleeing the scene after committing the crime.

Aleya is struggling for her life lying on a bed at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, with 60 percent of her body spoilt with burn injuries. “Her condition is very critical,” said one doctor.

BDST: 1020Hrs,May29, 2010
MHQ/PB/LY/MUA