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Seven burnt alive, six hurt in Purnea

At least seven people were burnt alive and six received multiple burn injuries in an incident of arson following group clashes at Nikhrel village of Purnea district, West Bengal, on Sunday night.

District magistrate Deepak Kumar Singh said the trouble had begun when residents of a tribal area of Nikhrel village attacked one farmer with bows and arrows. They later set his tractor ablaze and threw him into the flames. He died immediately.

In retaliation, the residents of the village raided and set afire the tribal section, destroying 75 houses. Six people died and as many received multiple burn injuries, Singh said. Among the dead were four children and two women. The injured were admitted to Purnea Sadar hospital.

According to Superintendent of Police R S Bhatti, those who had allegedly committed the crime have been arrested and one platoon of the Central Reserve Police Force posted in the village to maintain law and order.

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