Ending her grim battle for life, dowry victim Shazia Begum succumbed to her burn injuries yesterday, four days after both her children had met the same fate in a classic example of human brutalities.
The 32-year-old housewife and mother of two breathed her last at the Intensive Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Shazia, who hailed from Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, was brought to the DMCH on Monday with 98 per cent of her body burnt. Her children Emon (5) and Emona (3) died from burns on the same day at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where all the three were admitted on Sunday.
Shazia's brother Abdul Hafiz had earlier quoted her as saying she woke up from sleep smelling kerosene Saturday evening and saw her sister-in-law Nasima throw fire at her and flee the spot. She rushed to a nearby pond and jumped into it to douse the flames engufing her. Her kids still asleep were badly burnt.
Hafiz told The Daily Star that Shazia was married to Kuwait-expatriate Nuruddin nine years ago without dowry. Then they had to give at least Tk 5 lakh to Nuruddin's family at different times. "Due to torture on Shazia by her in-laws for more money, we brought her to our home and she lived with us for two years. Around five months ago, her in-laws took her back promising no more torture," Hafiz said.
His mother Samirunnesa told this correspondent that Shazia's in-laws started torturing her for another Tk 3 lakh when her husband left for Kuwait at the end of his vacation.
"Shazia told me over the phone a week ago that torture on her had increased. I told her I will take you away soon," Hafiz said.
Contacted yesterday, Officer-in-Charge of Jagannathpur Police Station Saleh Uddin said a case was filed accusing five persons. They are trying to track down the culprits.
Source : The Daily Star
