In a shocking turn of events, a former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League has set himself on fire on the National Press Club premises in Dhaka over the outstanding payment a company owed him.
Currently a contractor, 50-year-old Gazi Anis is the former president of the organisation’s Kushtia district unit, who suffered around 80% burn wounds.
He was rescued by police and rushed to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery after the incident on Monday.
He made the desperate bid to take own life reportedly out of his frustration over a company’s refusal to pay him Tk 12.6 million in dues.
Witnesses said Anis set himself on fire in the garden of the club around 5 pm. People at the scene doused the fire by pouring water.
Md Ali, a man who brought Anis to the hospital, said Anis told him on the way that a company named Henolux owes him Tk 12.6 million, but refused to pay. Anis had demonstrated earlier, demanding the dues, but to no avail.
Citing doctors, Inspector Bachchu Mia at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost said Anis suffered 80 percent burns to his body.
