<i>Monimala 'set afire for dowry,' fighting for life </i>
Seriously burnt Monimala is undergoing treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.Photo: STAR
A young housewife, set afire allegedly by in-laws, is fighting for life at the burn unit of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). The victim, Monimala, 20, got more than 40 percent of her body including face and chest burnt during the incident on February 22 afternoon at her husband's house at village Kalibari in Jhenaigati upazila under Sherpur district. In the evening the same day, her in-laws took her to Jhenaigati Upazila Health Complex from where she was referred to Sherpur Sadar Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was admitted to MMCH on Saturday night. Following the incident, a case was filed against five people including her husband Ali Hossain, mother-in-law Hujura, sisters-in-law Rubia alias Chikani and Minara and maternal uncle-in-law Abdul Malek Member and police arrested Ali Hossain. Monimala was married to Ali Hossain, a day labourer of the neighbouring village, two years ago. Monimala lost her father at an early age and her mother is a mental patient, said family members. Monimala's brothers, who work as day labourers, gave Tk 35,000 as dowry during and after the marriage but the in-laws led by her mother-in-law Hujura used to torture her physically, they said. "Around 15 days ago, Monimala came to our house following a quarrel with her sister-in-law Chikani. Later she returned to husband's house. On February 22 afternoon, the accused set her on fire after pouring kerosene," Monimala's elder brother Hurmoz Ali told this correspondent. In the evening, the culprits took Monimala to Jhenaigati Upazila Health Complex from where she was referred to Sherpur Sadar Hospital at night. Before taking her to hospital, Abdul Malek Member forced Monimala to say that the incident occurred while she was cooking food and Malek Member recorded it with his mobile set, alleged Hurmoz Ali. "Being informed, we went to Monimala's house on February 22 evening. Later we traced out Monimala at Sherpur Sadar Hospital at night and the in-laws left the hospital sensing our presence. We caught Monimala's husband from the hospital area and handed him over to police," said Abdus Sobhan, another elder brother of the victim. The victim's family members alleged that police at first discouraged them to file a case when they went to Jhenaigati Police Station the day after the incident. Police also questioned why they had mentioned in the case the name of Abdul Malek Member, a councillor of Kalibari Baniapara ward in Majhlikanda Union Parishad of Jhenaigati, they said. Contacted, Sub-Inspector of Jhenaigati Police Station Tajul Islam, also the investigation officer of the case, said they have contacted with the victim and his family members and drive is on to arrest the other accused in the case. He denied any attempt by police to save Abdul Malek Member from the case. "The victim is under risk as 40 percent of her body got burnt. She needs proper treatment for two or three months for her cure," said Dr KM Nahidul Haque of burn unit of MMCH. The victim's family members said it is very difficult for them to continue treatment of such a patient.
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