Kathmandu - A woman was burnt alive by a mob in southern Nepal after she was accused of trying to kidnap a toddler, Nepalese media reports said Monday. The crime happened in Dhanusa district, about 250 kilometres south-east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, on Sunday, the independent Kantipur Television said.

A crowd in Bharatpur village in Dhanusa district seizedthe woman, doused her with petrol and set her on fire after accusing her of trying to kidnap a baby from the village, the station quoted police as saying.

The woman, about 35 years old, died instantly, police said. She could not be identified as her body was charred beyond recognition.

Her body was later moved to a regional hospital in the town of Janakpur for autopsy but there had been no arrests as yet.

Dhanusa in southern Nepal is one of several districts in the region that is plagued by growing lawlessness and violence.

Several armed groups operate in the area, and people have often taken law into their own hands in the absence of state authorities.

Several reports of violence against women have occurred in the district.

Last year, a female journalist, who wrote on violence against women, was stabbed to death in the same district.

The incident was seen as an attempt by organized groups and individuals to silence critics voicing their opposition to violence against women. (dpa)