In a Taliban-style diktat, a Panchayat today threatened to burn alive four persons accused of abducting and raping a minor in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's home district, if police failed to take action.
The decision was taken in Kheda Helu village panchayat meeting presided over by village head Pankaj Yadav, Circle Officer Arun Dixit said.
A 15-year-old girl was abducted and raped by the four persons on May 4. Two of the accused have been identified as Sukhbir Singh and Shiv Kumar, while the others have not been identified so far.
Police have arrested Shiv Kumar while a manhunt has been launched to trace the other three, Dixit said.
Asked about the panchyat's decision, he said police was doing its duty and would make sure such a situation did not arise where the Panchayat has to take law in its hand.
