KOTTAYAM: A girl was set on fire in Thiruvalla by a youth for allegedly rejecting his marriage proposal. The seriously injured girl, a native of Ayirur has been admitted at a private hospital in Kottayam. The police have arrested Ajin Reji Mathew, a native of Kumbanad in Thiruvalla in connection with the incident.

The attack was towards an 18-year-old-girl, a graduate student of a private institution in Thiruvalla. He was after the girl from the time she was in the 12th standard and now he approached her parents with the marriage proposal. However, her parents rejected the proposal.

The accused was waiting at the bus stop with the petrol and as soon as she came, he poured it on her and set her on fire. The locals soon doused the petrol and took her to the hospital. Ajin was handed over to the police by the locals. Police said that a probe will be conducted.