Assam woman dies of burn injuries; family alleges dowry harassment, police inaction

A woman who had been undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) died in the early hours of Friday, weeks after she was allegedly set on fire at her matrimonial home in Dhubri district.

 

The deceased, Ambia Khatun, had sustained critical burn injuries on July 2. Her family has alleged that she was set on fire by her husband and in-laws following prolonged harassment over dowry demands.

 

Ambia, daughter of Abdul Ali of Barundanga village under Pratapganj in Tamarhat, had married Nur Alam, son of Sattar Ali of Bisandoi village in Golakganj, around three years ago.

 

According to her father, Ambia had been subjected to repeated physical and mental harassment by her husband and his family over alleged dowry demands. He claimed that several community meetings had been held in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but the alleged harassment continued.

 

Her family alleged that on 2 July, Ambia's husband and in-laws poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze at her matrimonial home. After being informed, her relatives rushed to the house and took her to Dhubri Medical College and Hospital. She was later referred to GMCH as her condition deteriorated.

 

Following the incident, an FIR was lodged at Golakganj Police Station against four people — her husband Nur Alam, father-in-law Sattar Ali, mother-in-law Momina Bibi and sister-in-law Aksina Khatun.

 

The victim's family has also alleged that no arrests were made between the filing of the FIR and Ambia's death. They further claimed that police neither contacted the family nor took visible action during the course of the investigation.

 

The family also alleged that Nur Alam visited the hospital during Ambia's treatment but left shortly before her death. They accused him of taking her medical documents, treatment money and mobile phone before leaving.

 

Ambia's father further alleged that the accused had received protection from a network of touts and questioned the role of the Golakganj police in the case. These allegations have not been independently verified.

 

According to the family, police personnel visited their residence on Saturday, a day after Ambia's death, and assured them that the accused would be arrested.

 

The incident has triggered demands from members of the local community and rights activists for a thorough investigation into both the alleged dowry-related crime and the handling of the case by the police.