A dump truck helper yesterday took the brunt of an arson attack by pickets in Debidari area of Comilla district while he was on a trip to Choumohoni.
The arson victim is Mujibur Rahman, 42, who is now undergoing treatment at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Mujibur hails form Shampur of Barisal.
Sources said the helper was going to Choumohoni with goods when he fell victim to a petrol bomb attack.
He was taken to a local clinic from where the doctors referred him to DMCH as his condition was deteriorating.
Dr Partha Shankar Pal, resident surgeon of the burn unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that 20% of his body including the face, throat and hands had been burnt.
Jahangir Hossain, a truck driver, told the Dhaka Tribune that Mujibur with his driver Abdur Rahman loaded hardware from Shoari Ghat area of the capital and was going on a trip to Choumohoni.
However, soon after reaching Comilla, they came across a pile of bricks in the middle of the road blocking the way.
The driver reduced the speed while pickets hurled petrol bomb at the vehicle, thus setting it on fire.
The attack left Mujibur Rahman critically and trucker, Abdur Rahman, partially injured.
Abdur Rahman was admitted to a local clinic, but Mojibur had been sent to DMCH, said Jahangir.
Mujibur’s mother Aleya Begum was struck dumb at the sight of his son’s wounds. She was gazing at her son’s burnt face with vacant eyes, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Manju Ara Bgum, wife of the victim, said: “We were poor, but were passing days happily with our three children – Sonia, 14, Tania, 11, and Saidul, 15. Destiny worked against us and an ill-luck befell our family.”
Earlier on Sunday night, Rehana Khatun, 23, succumbed to her injuries at Enam Medical College around 8pm after receiving an arson attack by pickets on December 2 at Savar while returning to the capital.
Rehana hailed form Kashiani of Gopalganj, the wife of Sobur Khan Shipon.
On the other hand, 32 blockade victims who came under arson attack were undergoing treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Of them, five are in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit.