Man allegedly sets wife ablaze

A Correspondent

PATHSALA, June 24: At a time when incidents of crime against women and killings are on the rise across the State, the incident of a man allegedly killing his wife by setting her on fire after pouring kerosene at Daishingiri village under Bajali subdivision in Barpeta district has created sensation in the area. Five years back, Pankaj Mahanta of Daishingiri village under Bajali subdivision tied the knot through legal process with Jonali Talukdar, daughter of Dwijen Talukdar and Sushmita Talukdar, residents of Ananda Nagar in Bamunimaidam in Guwahati.

After the marriage, Pankaj Mahanta allegedly harassed Jonali both physically and mentally demanding dowry from time-to-time. Jonali’s father alleged that on Friday, following a scuffle, Pankaj killed Jonali by setting her on fire after pouring kerosene. Jonali’s father Dwijen Talukdar lodged an FIR at Patacharkuchi Police Station in Barpeta district against Pankaj Mahanta. Pathsala Police arrested accused Pankaj Mahanta. However, Pankaj on Friday told media persons that he had slapped Jonali after he found her with another youth in a compromising position following which Jonali committed suicide by setting herself on fire after pouring kerosene.

Though the incident took place on Friday afternoon, Jonali, who received serious burn injuries, was admitted to Pathsala Swahid Madan Rowta Civil Hospital in Pathsala after the incident but she succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem to Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta.