Youngster murdered for not having a screw-driver!

17-year-old Bilal became the latest victim of murder on slightest provocation in the capital when four men stabbed him to death after he could not give them a screw-driver as demanded. In fact, he did not have one.

His elder Afzal is battling for life in a hospital after being injured in the attack.

The incident was reported from Jaffarabad area at around 9 pm yesterday, a senior police official said.

Bilal and Afzal were at their mobile shop when four men entered and asked for a screw-driver. Afzal told them that they did not have a screwdriver and an argument ensued over this," the official said.

Bilal, who was watching the argument, suddenly intervened and this enraged the four men who stabbed Bilal, the official said adding, "when Afzal tried to save his brother, he was also injured."

"What was his fault, it was only that he said that he did not have a screw-driver," said Raj Khan, the father of the two brothers.

Bilal was rushed to Jag Pravesh Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Afzal was shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital where doctors said he was in a critical condition.

The family informed police about the incident.

"A case has been registered and we are investigating into the matter. No arrest has been made," the official said.

Fifteen per cent of the 519 murders reported in the city last year were due to sudden provocation on trivial issues.

The "trivial" reasons for murder last year included issue of burning fire crackers in a marriage, dispute during cricket match, quarrel among children, taking water from pipeline, lighting beedi at a shop and refusal of serving a particular brand of wine.