A minor Dalit girl was set ablaze in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district by a youth purportedly after she refused to share her mobile number with him.

The girl, who suffered third-degree burn injuries, was admitted to a hospital in Varanasi, where her condition was stated to be critical.

According to police sources, the victim, a resident of Phariha village in the district, was approached by her neighbour Mohammed Safi, when she was alone in the house on Tuesday.

Safi bolted the door from inside and asked the girl for her mobile number. When she refused, Safi flew into a rage and set the girl on fire after pouring kerosene oil, which was kept in a can nearby, over the girl.

The locals, who rushed to the spot on hearing the girl’s scream, managed to extinguish the fire and rushed her to the hospital. They also caught Safi and thrashed him.

Safi, who also sustained serious injuries, was admitted to the district hospital, sources said adding that tension prevailed in the village as the accused hailed from a different community.

A case was registered and security personnel in strength had been deployed at the village to maintain law and order, the police said.

The situation was peaceful, they added.