<i>Forced by husband to take acid </i>

Mukta Haldar, forced by husband to swallow acid two and a half months ago, is fighting for life at Ghior Upazila Health Complex in Manikganj.
Mukta, 25, daughter of Dhiren Haldar of Ghior upazila in Manikganj, became the victim of human savagery allegedly for her father's failure to satisfy her dowry-greedy husband.
“At around 2:30am November 14 night, my husband [Swapan Haldar], his father Mahendra Haldar, mother Kajoli Haldar, and brothers Paban and Ratan entered the room and woke me up,” said a tearful Mukta at her hospital bed.
“My husband forced me to drink a cup of what he said was tea, but it was actually acid," she said.
As Mukta started screaming, neighbours rushed in and took her to Manikganj Sadar Hospital.
Later, her parents took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
After treatment for several days, the DMCH authorities told her family members to take her back and bring her to DMCH after two months. Mukta's family took her home and then again admitted her to Ghior hospital.
As Mukta's stomach is acid-burnt, she cannot even take liquid food, said her physician, adding that her condition is grave.
She is being given only saline, Mukta's brother Joydev Haldar said.
Swapan Haldar of Bara Anulia village in Shivalaya upazila in Manikganj married Mukta four years ago and took Tk 40,000 and 4 tola of gold as dowry. After six months, Swapan demanded Tk 50,000 more. Our father did not have the ability to meet the demand," Joydev said.
Mukta's father Dhiren Haldar filed a case with Shivalaya Police Station on November 19.
Manikganj Superintendent of Police Imtiaz Ahmed said all the accused have been arrested and parents of main accused Swapan have got bail from the court.
Officer-in-Charge of Shivalaya Police Station Abdul Hamid told this correspondent over cell phone that the charge will be formed against the culprits within a week.