Family of four burnt to death in Bihar over land dispute

A family of four, including two minor children, was burnt to death by some villagers in Katihar district of Bihar, allegedly over a land dispute, police said on Monday.

"Four people -- a married couple and their two minor children -- were burnt to death when they were sleeping in a room that was locked from the outside and set ablaze by unidentified people late Sunday night," Katihar Superintendent of Police Kshatranil Singh said.

A local official said a case was lodged in this connection on the basis of some villagers' statements to police that they suspected a land dispute behind the incident.

"A preliminary investigation into the case suggests a land dispute was the cause," a police official said.

No arrests have been made so far.

The incident has created panic and anger among the villagers, who have protested and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers.