KATHMANDU: A group of three persons on Thursday tried to burn a man in Bhathigachh village of Morang district on Thursday.

Morang District Police Office spokesperson, DSP Pramod Kharel, said Bablu Rajbanshi (28) from Bhathigachh-6 sustained serious burn injuries in the attack.

"After his treatment was not possible at the Koshi Regional Hospital," Kharel told THT Online over phone from Biratnagar, "He has been sent to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences."

"Though we are yet to nab the suspects and further investigate into the case, it is suspected that cadres of the United Democratic Madhesi Front attacked him," he surmised.

The suspects have been identified as Ajaya Singh, Jugeshwor Mukhiya and Jitendra Mukhiya.

According to the police official, Rajbanshi was attacked for "smuggling petrol".

A motorcycle workshop owner, Rajbanshi owns three bikes on his own and he brought the fuel from India for his personal use, Kharel, however maintained.

The attackers used 15 litre petrol that Rajbanshi had, to burn him.