The female student of a Feni madrasa, burnt allegedly after refusing to lift sexual abuse charges against the principal, is battling with critical injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Doctors say the 18-year-old has sustained severe burn injuries, which appears to be life-threatening.
“She has suffered 80 percent burns and in a critical condition. The doctors are yet to say anything. We are trying our best,” Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of the DMCH Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit, said on Sunday (Apr 7).
An eight-member medical board has been formed to monitor her treatment, said burn unit resident physician Dr Partha Shankar Pal.
The board which includes Dr Abul Kalam Azad and Samanta Lal Sen is being headed by burns unit Professor Dr Raihana Awwal.
The victim’s brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman said he had spoken with his sister on Sunday.
“She was put on Oxygen and wanted to have some water, but the doctors have advised her against drinking anything. Her condition remains unchanged,” he said.
The student, a resident of Sonagazi Municipality, went to the local Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa on Saturday to sit for Alim exams, equivalent to Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC).
Some students called her to the roof and threatened her to withdraw the case filed against the principal. They set fire to her after pouring kerosene on her when she refused, according to the victim's family.
Police and others rescued her after hearing her cry and took her to Sonagazi Upazila Health complex from where she was shifted to the Feni General Hospital before transferring to the DMCH.
Feni police said they opened an investigation and recorded testimonies of teachers, students and officials of the madrasa.
“From what we gathered from witnesses, after entering the exam hall the victim told the student next to her that she will be back in a while. Soon after, students heard someone screaming and found her on fire. They rushed her to the hospital accompanied by the policemen posted at the centre,” said Assistant Superintendent of Police Saiful Ahmed Bhuiyan told Bangla Tribune.
He said they were yet to find how the student caught fire. “The girl is not able to speak properly now, but she mentioned of four burqa-clad man while being treated at the Feni General Hospital,” said the senior police officer.
Police on Saturday have already detained a teacher and a student for questioning over the incident.
Principal Siraj-ud-Daula is now behind bars after the girl's mother filed the case against him over the alleged incident of sexual abuse on Mar 27.
The followers of Siraj threatened the family to withdraw the case since then, alleged the victim's family.
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