A woman was allegedly set on fire by her in-laws for not bearing a child even after six years of marriage, at Gopalpur Village under Motunga police limits in Dhenkanal district on Wednesday night. Police arrested the husband of the deceased and have launched a manhunt to nab others involved in the inhuman act.
According to the police, Anita, daughter of Kamala Parida of Handidhua Village of Talcher area had married Manoj Behera of Gopalpur six years ago. She was allegedly being tortured by her in-laws for failing to bear a child.
They had also been torturing her mentally and demanding more dowry. On Wednesday night the in-laws of Anita allegedly set her on fire after pouring kerosene on her, police sources said.
The badly burnt woman was rushed to the district headquarters hospital at Dhenkanal where doctors declared her dead. A case has been registered and investigation is on, police said.
Meanwhile, the State Commission for Women (SCW) took suo motu cognizance of the death and decided to send a team to investigate. SCW chairperson lopamudra Bauxipatra condemned the barbaric incident and said she would take the issue seriously.