January 5, 2002	Saturday	Shawwal 20, 1422

NEW DELHI, Jan 3: A Hindu priest sliced the head of an eight year-old boy with a dagger in a ritual sacrifice to appease the gods in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Thursday.

The incident took place in Bijnore district where a boy was reported missing after he had gone to a temple dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

His body was later recovered from the nearby bushes, police said.

The temple priest was arrested and, after interrogation, confessed to the crime, they added.—AFP