The condition of the Feni madrasa student, burnt allegedly after refusing to lift sexual abuse charges against the principal, has further deteriorated, said doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Monday.
“She is not doing well and has been put on life support around 11.30am,” said Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of the DMCH Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit. “We are doing our best.”
Doctors had earlier said that her injuries appeared to be life-threatening as the 18-year-old suffered nearly 80 percent burns.
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 (Apr 6) 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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