Villager burnt alive

Karnal, Mar 1 (UNI) A man was allegedly burnt to death in his fruit garden in Khera Chhapra village near here early today.

The victim, identified as Punna Ram (50), who had taken a contract of a fruit garden in the village, was allegedly overpowered in his fruit garden by some unidentified men, who used polythene packaging material and kerosene oil to set him ablaze, police said.

Punna Ram's badly charred body was picked up by the police later and sent for autopsy.

Karnal SSP A S Chawla said it would only be ascertained after the post mortem report whether he was burnt alive or first killed and then burnt.

The culprits also made an attempt to wash the site as the place was filled with water.

No arrest has been made so far though a hunt has been launched to nab the killers, the SSP added.

UNI XC PS JMK1612