Attempt to kill pregnant housewife

A pregnant woman suffered severe burns as her husband allegedly attempted to kill her by setting fire to her over family feud in Patuakhali's Kalapara upazila on Thursday night.

The victim, Fatima Begum, 24, is undergoing treatment at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Doctors of Kalapara Upazila Health Complex, where the victim was first taken to, said she had burns on around 75 percent of her body.   

Police arrested Fatima's husband Sobhan Gazi from Natun Bazar area in Kalapara upazila town.

Sobhan maintains the four-member family by catching and selling crab and frog.

Talking to this correspondent, victim's cousin Sumon said Fatima and Sobhan were going through a financial crisis.

Fatima is three months pregnant and their lone daughter Rupa is leaving with Sobhan's mother at Natun Bazar.

On Thursday night, Fatima and Sobhan had a quarrel over a family matter at their Nachnapara house. At one stage, Sobhan set fire to her sari around 8:00pm, Sumon said.

Hearing Fatima's screams, neighbours rescued and took her to Kalapara Upazila Health Complex. Later, she was referred to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Sumon filed a case against Sobhan with Kalapara Police Station at that night.

GM Shah Newaz, officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station, said they already arrested Sobhan and produced him before the court that sent him to jail yesterday.

They would take legal action against Sobhan after investigating the incident, the police official added.