Thrissur: The reason for setting ablaze a girl student of an engineering on Thursday morning by a youth at Chiyyaram in Kerala's Thrissur district was a love affair turned sore.

The woman, Neethu, 22, a B Tech student of Axis College of Engineering and Technology at Kodakara, died on the spot. Police arrested Vadakkekadu native Nidheesh, who was in an affair with the woman for the past three years.

According to police and relatives of the girl, the incident occurred around 7.30 am. The charred body was found in the wash room of the woman's home.

Neighbours said they saw a bike outside the house and inquired about the owner. Suddenly they heard screams from the house and rushed inside only to see the burning body of Neethu.

According to family members, Neethu and Nidheesh were in an affair for the past three years and the family members of both were in the know of things. Apparently, Nidheesh was insisting on marriage and Neethu was not ready for it. In the meantime, Neethu started meeting another friend which infuriated Nidheesh.

Neethu's mother had committed suicide years ago and her father had abandoned her. All this had affected Neethu's life but she wanted to complete her studies and find a good job. Neethu was living with her grandmother and maternal uncle.

Nidheesh had completed his MBA and was working with a private company in Kochi. Nidheesh had reached Neethu's house around 5 in the morning and had a long chat with her. He asked her about marriage and she refused. Angry over this, Nidheesh allegedly first stabbed her and then set her on fire.

Hearing the commotion, her grandmother and uncle came rushing and caught Nidheesh. His bid to flee on the bike was foiled by neighbours. However, by then Neethu was charred to death.

Nidheesh was taken to a hospital for medical examination before questioning, the police said.

According to neighbours, Nidheesh had stabbed Neethu first and they claimed there were blood stains on her chest when they reached the spot.

Nidheesh had come on the motorcycle and kept it on the roadside and entered the house through the backdoor.

Nidheesh was produced before a court and remanded in custody.

Last month, a similar incident occurred at Thiruvalla in Kottayam district, when a youth, Ajin Reji Mathew, a Kumbanad native, poured petrol on a 19-year-old girl and set her ablaze. He came to Thiruvalla

with a petrol can and a rope in the bag and set her on fire after stabbing her on March 12. She died later in a hospital.

A few days after this, a bike-borne assailant splashed petrol on a young woman riding scooter in Kochi.

The assailant however fled when she screamed for help.

The woman, who was riding the scooter with a friend, was waived down by the assailant on the pretext of having a conversation. He fled the scene as the woman screamed.