A tragic and shocking incident has shaken Barisal, as a ten-year-old girl, Raysa Akter, was burned to death after rejecting inappropriate advances. The victim was the daughter of day labourer Nazrul Howlader from South Rakudia village in the Deherghoti Union of Babuganj.
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Incident Details
According to reports from the family and police, the accused, fifteen-year-old Sifat Sikder, son of Jalal Sikder from the same village, had repeatedly harassed Raysa. When she refused his advances, Sifat allegedly set her on fire. Raysa was critically injured and initially taken to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, where she succumbed to her injuries early Monday morning.
A video statement given by Raysa before her death has surfaced, in which she said: “He asked me to do bad things. I did not agree, so Sifat set me on fire.”
Eyewitnesses reported that on Sunday afternoon, Sifat confronted Raysa while she was alone. Attempting to drag her to a secluded location, Raysa screamed for help. The cries were heard by a nearby resident, Taslim, who alerted other locals. They rescued her and rushed her to the hospital.
Medical Assessment
Dr Monirul Islam, a doctor at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, stated: “Raysa suffered third-degree burns. Her clothing was fused with her skin, making recovery highly unlikely. Immediate medical attention was administered, which gave a small chance of survival, but unfortunately, it was not sufficient.”
Police Investigation
Sheikh Md. Ehteshamul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Babuganj Police Station, said: “We visited the scene immediately after the incident. The investigation into Raysa’s death is ongoing. No formal complaint has yet been submitted, but legal action will be taken once it is.”
Local Reaction
The incident has caused widespread distress in the community. Locals are demanding the arrest of the accused and exemplary punishment to deter similar crimes. Sifat Sikder remains at large.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Raysa Akter, 10 years old |
| Location | South Rakudia, Babuganj, Barisal |
| Accused | Sifat Sikder, 15 years old |
| Initial Hospital | Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital |
| Transfer Hospital | National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka |
| Type of Injury | Third-degree burns |
| Date of Incident | Sunday afternoon |
| Date of Death | Monday morning |
This tragic case underscores the urgent need for enhanced child protection measures and stronger community vigilance. Local authorities face increasing pressure to bring the perpetrator to justice and ensure the safety of children in the area.
The community continues to mourn, calling for swift action and systemic reforms to prevent such heinous crimes in the future.