Two girls, aged five and eight years, were charred to death and their parents suffered serious burn injuries after their house was set on fire allegedly by landsharks in Katihar district, a senior official said today.
The incident occurred following the family's refusal to vacate the house as demanded by a group of people who had been eyeing their land, District Magistrate Poonam said.
The small house in Ghorda village under Azamnagar police station area were set on fire using petrol last night and two girls, Prachi (5) and Kiran (8), were charred to death, she said.
Their parents Pancham Das and Manjula Devi were now battling for their lives in hospital.
Das used to run a tea stall near his house.
Poonam said some of the villagers have been trying to grab their land and threatening the couple with dire consequences if they did not vacate the house.
The accused have been identified and raids were being carried out to arrest them, the DM said adding that police officials led by Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar were camping at the village.
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