A Class IX student, who was set on fire in Samastipur district allegedly by her neighbours over an abduction dispute, died in a Patna hospital early on Wednesday morning.

Akanksha Kumari (14) was alone at her house in Harpur Bochaha village in the district on Tuesday afternoon when she was doused with kerosene and set on fire. Her father, Sunil Kumar Rai, who has a grocery shop, has accused neighbours Amit Kumar and Sumit Kumar.

Samastipur superintendent of police Nawal Kishore Singh told The Telegraph: "According to the FIR lodged by the girl's father, Amit Kumar and Sumit Kumar, sons of neighbour Nandu Rai, entered the house surreptitiously, tied the hands and legs of the girl, doused her in kerosene and set her on fire. The case has been registered under Section 302 of the IPC."

Hearing her cries, other neighbours rushed to Akanksha's rescue by when her attackers had fled. Sunil alleged his neighbours killed his daughter because he had stood witness against them in an abduction of another girl in the village. He added that Akanksha named Amit and Sumit as setting her on fire before dying. The two brothers are absconding.

Akanksha was rushed to a local government hospital from where she was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital with 50 per cent burns. Her family took her to Paramount Hospital in Patna where she succumbed around 4am on Wednesday.

"Recently, a girl in my village was abducted (by Amit) and we had helped her family. Since then we were being harassed and threatened by the family of the accused. They eventually burnt my daughter alive," Sunil said.

SP Singh confirmed that Sunil was a witness in the kidnapping of Juhi Kumari who had gone missing on May 1 and her family had accused Amit.

Angry residents blocked the Vidyapati Nagar-Mahnar main road for over five hours to demand justice for Akanksha, lifting it only on Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary's assurance that suitable action will be taken.