In a bizarre incident, a three-year-old boy was set ablaze by a 16-year-old neighbor in Kalapathar.

According to the police, the incident took place when Ali Shair failed to give way to his neighbor’s bike. The kid is critical at OGH. Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy said they "will ensure the best possible treatment for Ali."

Meanwhile, the AP Balala Hakkula Sangham said that "crimes by minors against minors was increasing due to the influence of movies and TV serials and strict measures should be taken to prevent such incidents."

Mohammed Ali Shair is the youngest son of Md Rahim, who is an auto-rickshaw driver and Yasmin, a housewife. They have four kids including Ali.

Ali's father Rahim said "on Monday, Ali was playing in front of his house along with some other kids when his neighbor came there on his bike. The minor boy came to the kids and shouted at them to move away. The child could not understand what the boy meant and did not move. He threatened my son once again. But when he did not move he took petrol from his bike, poured it on the child and set him ablaze. Other kids raised an alarm and Ali was rushed to Osmania GH. He has burns on his neck, head, back, and shoulders."

Doctors said "his condition is critical and that he needs better treatment. Only God can save my child now."

Police registered a case under Section 285, based on Rahim’s complaint . “We found the minor boy was playing with a petrol bottle and accidentally petrol spilled and fell on Ali who was standing nearby,” Kalapathar SI G. Sravan Kumar said.

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BY M. DIVYA SRI