Amaravati, Dec 9 (NationPress) In a disturbing event, a youth has taken the life of a 17-year-old girl by setting her on fire after pouring petrol over her in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh.

The tragic event transpired at a residence in Nandikotkur town during the early hours of Monday. The victim was sleeping in her home when the suspect committed this horrific act.

Upon hearing the chaos, neighbors rushed to the scene and discovered the victim engulfed in flames. She succumbed to her injuries immediately. The neighbors then attacked the perpetrator, who reportedly sustained burn wounds during the incident.

Local reports indicate that the accused had been harassing the girl under the guise of love. Frustrated by her lack of interest, he allegedly poured petrol on her and ignited it.

The victim was a second-year intermediate student at a private college in Nandikotkur. To protect her from the accused's stalking, her parents had sent her to stay with her grandparents in Nandikotkur.

She was sleeping alone in a separate room in her grandparents' house when the assailant broke in after midnight to carry out this horrific crime. Authorities are investigating whether the boy attempted to set himself on fire after attacking her or if he was injured while igniting the flames.

The police have arrested the suspect and transported him to the Government Hospital in Kurnool, where he is reported to be in critical condition.

Recent times have seen a troubling rise in similar violent acts against women and children in Andhra Pradesh.

Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates a 43 percent increase in crimes against women in Andhra Pradesh in 2022, ranking the state sixth nationally for such offenses.

Expressing alarm over the escalating violence against women, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for the establishment of special courts to expedite trials for these types of crimes.

Following a gang-rape incident involving a woman and her daughter-in-law in the Sri Sathya Sai district, the Chief Minister announced that the government would petition the Andhra Pradesh High Court to create special courts to ensure prompt justice for victims.