Six people, including a woman and her children, were severely burnt after a man allegedly poured petrol on them and set them on fire while they were asleep in Narsingdi’s Chinishpur Union early Wednesday morning.
The accused, Farid Mia (44), a pickup driver from the Ghoradia area, allegedly carried out the attack at around 3 a.m. following a long-standing family dispute. The victims include his wife Rina Begum (38), sons Arafat (15) and Towhid (7), sister-in-law Salma Begum (34), and her sons Farhad (12) and Jihad Mia (24). Five of them were transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment.
Police and locals said Rina had recently taken her children and moved to her father’s home due to Farid’s abusive behavior. In the middle of the night, Farid allegedly entered the house, poured petrol on his wife, children, and relatives, set them on fire, and locked the door from outside before fleeing. Neighbors broke down the door and rescued the victims, who were rushed to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka.
According to the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, Dr. Farida Gulshanara Kabir, all six victims sustained severe burns, with Rina suffering approximately 50 percent burns. Rina’s father, Mohan Mia, said Farid had been violent and addicted for years. “He had been torturing my daughter for a long time. Last night, he came and burned my family alive,” he said.
Sub-Inspector Anik Kumar Guha of Narsingdi Model Police Station confirmed that police responded immediately after a 999 emergency call and rescued the victims. “Efforts are underway to arrest Farid Mia, and legal action is being taken,” he said.
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